As tensions between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah intensify, countries around the world have started to implement contingency plans to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon.
While large-scale military evacuations have yet to occur, many nations are chartering flights and urging citizens to leave on their own.
Here’s a look at the steps various countries are taking to ensure the safety of their nationals:
Australia
Australia has secured hundreds of airline seats for its citizens and prepared military aircraft for potential evacuation to Cyprus. Authorities are considering evacuation by sea and have advised the estimated 15,000 Australians in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains operational.
Belgium
Belgium has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, according to the Belga news agency.
Brazil
Brazil, with 3,000 nationals requesting repatriation, has dispatched an Air Force Airbus A330. The plane is scheduled to fly 220 people out of Beirut on Friday and will conduct two flights per week.
China
The Chinese government has successfully evacuated over 200 of its citizens, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Canada
Canada is cooperating with Australia on a joint evacuation effort, possibly using a commercial vessel to transport citizens by sea. The plan includes ferrying out 1,000 people per day, according to the Toronto Star.
Cyprus
Cyprus evacuated 38 nationals on Thursday using a Greek-provided aircraft. There are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 Cypriots in Lebanon.
Denmark
Denmark has urged citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible but has not initiated an official evacuation, as commercial flights remain available. The Lebanese airline, Middle East Airlines, is adding flights to Europe to meet demand, according to Denmark's foreign ministry.
France
France has had contingency plans in place for months but has yet to order an evacuation. Plans involve the use of Cyprus and Beirut airport, with possible routes via Turkey. A French warship is in the region, and a helicopter carrier is expected to arrive soon to assist in potential evacuations.
Germany
Germany has evacuated non-essential embassy staff, families of employees, and medically vulnerable citizens. The government continues to support those wishing to leave, according to its foreign and defense ministries.
Greece
Greece evacuated 22 nationals, along with some Cypriot citizens, on Thursday. A frigate is on standby in case additional assistance is needed.
Italy
Italy has reduced its diplomatic staff in Lebanon while increasing security personnel at the Beirut embassy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has urged all Italian nationals to leave the country and has sought assurances from Israel for the safety of Italian peacekeepers.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands will deploy a military plane for two flights to repatriate nationals from Lebanon on Friday and Saturday. Other countries' citizens may also be accommodated if space allows, according to the Dutch defense ministry.
Poland
Poland has reduced staffing at its Beirut embassy and is organizing transport for citizens wishing to leave, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson.
Portugal
Portugal has advised against travel to Lebanon and assisted in the evacuation of a small number of citizens.
Romania
Romania evacuated 69 nationals via a military aircraft on Thursday. Around 1,100 Romanians and their families are registered at the embassy in Lebanon.
Russia
Russia has begun evacuating citizens, with diplomats' families leaving on a special flight on Thursday. Around 3,000 Russians and citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States are seeking evacuation, according to the TASS news agency.
Slovakia
Slovakia is sending a military aircraft to evacuate Slovak nationals and others, with the flights headed to Cyprus.
Spain
Spain plans to deploy two military aircraft to evacuate up to 350 citizens from Lebanon.
Turkey
Turkey’s foreign ministry is prepared to evacuate citizens by air or sea and is coordinating with 20 other countries for a potential evacuation of foreign nationals via Turkey. About 14,000 Turkish nationals are registered in Lebanon.
United Kingdom
The UK has chartered a limited number of flights for its citizens and advised them to leave Lebanon immediately. Over 150 British nationals and their dependents left on a government-chartered flight on Wednesday. The UK has also moved 700 troops to Cyprus and bolstered military assets in the region, including two Royal Navy ships.
United States
The U.S. has deployed troops to Cyprus to prepare for potential evacuations. The State Department is coordinating with airlines to increase flights out of Lebanon, offering more seats for American citizens.
As the conflict escalates, many countries are urging their citizens to leave Lebanon as quickly as possible, while others continue to organize more comprehensive evacuation efforts. Photo by Wusel007, Wikimedia commons.