Pentagon prepares to evacuate Americans from Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah war: report

The move comes as nations warn their citizens against visiting the Mediterranean country due to the ongoing security risks posed by the conflict, and work on similar plans to safely bring them out of harms way in the event the situation deteriorates.

According to NBC News, US defense officials and one former official familiar with the plans explained that an amphibious assault ship known as the USS Wasp had moved into the Mediterranean on Wednesday, along with Marines from the 24th Expeditionary Unit. If needed, they will join forces already in the area and take part in a military-assisted departure.

As of 2022, there were 86,000 Americans living in Lebanon, though the number of those who would take the US up on its offer to evacuate them from the country remains to be seen. Such a move would not be unprecedented. In 2006, as Israel fought with Hezbollah, the US managed to help 15,000 people flee the war-torn nation.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that ensuring things at the Israel-Lebanon border don't spiral out of control "remains a top priority for the United States and must be of the utmost importance for both Lebanon and Israel."

"We continue to work toward a diplomatic resolution," she added, "that would allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens to safely return to their homes and live in peace and security."

As NBC News reports, Canada has made plans to evacuate around 20,000 Canadians from Lebanon if needed, with the Department of National Defence noting that its forces are communicating with allies and "like-minded nations" and will be "monitoring the global landscape to maintain awareness of upcoming threats that may result in requests to support Canadians and Canadian interests."