Irish 'strongly advised' to leave Lebanon

The department said there would be limited assistance if the situation deteriorates further

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is "strongly advising" all Irish citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial options remain available.

It also advises against all travel to the country due to the ongoing conflict.

Tensions are high along the Lebanese border with Israel, with frequent exchanges of fire between heavily-armed militants in Lebanon and the Israeli army.

The department said there would be limited assistance if the situation deteriorates further.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says almost 6,500 people have been killed since 7 October - Israel has been bombing the territory.

More than 1,400 were killed in the initial attacks on Israel by Hamas, and more than 200 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.

The DFA said: "If for any reason you cannot leave Lebanon now, we would advise you to exercise extreme caution in your movements and put contingency plans in place to leave Lebanon as soon as possible."

Citizens should also ensure their documentation, including passports, is up-to-date.

The department stated that citizens in Lebanon should avoid any protests or demonstrations as there is a possibility of these gatherings quickly leading to violence.

It advises citizens to remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.

Irish citizens in Lebanon who have not registered with the Irish Embassy in Cairo have been advised to by the department.

It added: "If you are an Irish citizen and in need of emergency assistance outside of normal office hours, then you can contact us on the following emergency number: [phone]."