Following the outbreak of war in Israel, anxieties in bordering countries have been rising amid fears the fighting will spread to neighbouring territories.
Lebanon shares a border with Israel to the south, and the historic tensions between the two are threatening to flare up again, with Hezbollah – a Lebanese militant group – an important component in the potential escalation of the conflict.
On 18 October, AP reported that militants were killed on the Israeli-Lebanese border, while the US later warned citizens not to travel to Lebanon after the US embassy in Beirut was set on fire by protesters in the wake of President Biden’s visit to Israel.
Here is the latest information on whether the country remains safe for foreign travellers.
Where is Lebanon?
Lebanon sits to the north of Israel, bordering Syria to the north and the east. The capital, Beirut, sits along the Mediterranean Sea, and was a target of Israeli bombings during the Lebanon War in 2006.
Skirmishes between Israel and militant groups have so far been limited to areas around the border in the south, with an anti-tank missile shot from Lebanon landing in the northern Israeli town of Metula on the morning of 17 October.
What does the Foreign Office say?
The latest update from the Foreign Office (FCDO), dated 17 October, states that “British nationals in Lebanon should consider whether they need to remain in Lebanon and, if not, leave by commercial means while they are still available.
“British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. Lebanese tourist visas are now valid for one month, rather than three”.
There are several areas where the Foreign Office advises against all travel, including:
- South of the Litani River, including the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it;
- The 12 Palestinian refugee camps (you can find the locations of these on the UN Relief and Works Agency website;
- Within 500m of the Ain el Hilweh camp;
- Within 5km of the border with Syria;
- The town of Hermel, and the surrounding towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé.
In addition, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all other parts of Lebanon.
If you are a British national currently in Lebanon, the FCDO urges you to register your presence in the country in order to provide updates. It adds that “Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning.
“Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed”.
Regarding the conflict in Israel specifically, it says “[The] FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon since the outbreak of large-scale conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 7 October. There are ongoing mortar, artillery exchanges and airstrikes in South Lebanon, on the border with Israel. Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon”.
Additional security risks are present in Lebanon due to the threat of terrorism and kidnapping, with groups mainly operating in Tripoli, areas close to the Syrian border (such as around Hermel and Aarsal), Palestinian refugee camps and the southern suburbs of Beirut. The FCDO states that “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Lebanon,” adding that additional violence may occur between security forces, protesters and supporters of political groups.
What about flights to and from Lebanon?
Flights from the UK to Lebanon are currently operating as normal.
Will my insurance be invalid if I travel to Lebanon?
Anyone who chooses to go to the areas of Lebanon that are under “no-go” warnings will immediately have their travel insurance invalidated (unless they have a specialist policy).
The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your provider, though if you have a trip already booked to Lebanon, you may be able to cancel and make an insurance claim as the Foreign Office has advised against travel. It is important to enquire as to whether there is a distinction in the areas that are “no-go” and the places that fall under “all but essential travel” in your policy.
If already in Lebanon, contact your provider to find out the conditions of travelling home early.