US embassy instructs Americans to make plans to depart Lebanon as conflict with Israel heats up

Additionally, US citizens who lack the funds to return home can contact the embassy for financial assistance. "We recommend that US citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time,” the embassy stated.

The embassy advised citizens to quickly make departure plans independent of the US government, review personal security plans, and stay cautious by monitoring the news for all breaking developments.

“US military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. US Citizens should not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation in a crisis. In the case of an evacuation, you may not be able to leave with your extended family, cannot take pets, and will be expected to reimburse the US government for your transportation to a safe location. You will be responsible for the costs of onward travel from that safe location to the United States,” the embassy added.

The advisory comes as tensions in the Middle East have dramatically escalated, leading many to worry a full-scale regional war could soon break out. Israel confirmed this week that it had killed three top leaders of Hamas as well as members of the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah. This has led to sharp rhetoric from Iran, the sponsor of these terrorist groups. Iranian officials have warned that Hezbollah will likely begin to target non-military sites in Israeli territory in response to the assassinations, according to the Jerusalem Post.