Turkey evacuates citizens from Beirut amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
- The evacuation operation in Beirut involved over 2,000 Turkish citizens and some foreign nationals boarding a military ship due to fears for their safety.
- The Turkish government is providing humanitarian aid while ensuring the safe return of its citizens amid escalating violence from Israeli airstrikes.
- The ongoing conflict has led to over 1,300 deaths and more than a million displaced in Lebanon, highlighting the urgent need for such evacuations.
In Beirut, over 2,000 Turkish citizens and some foreign nationals began evacuating on a Turkish military ship amid escalating violence from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah. The evacuation operation was prompted by fears for safety as the conflict intensified, with many evacuees expressing a desire to leave Lebanon immediately. Turkish officials emphasized the dual purpose of the operation: providing humanitarian aid to Lebanon and ensuring the safe return of Turkish citizens. The Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon highlighted the severe impact of Israel's actions on the Lebanese population, reinforcing Turkey's commitment to assist its citizens in distress. The journey back to Turkey is expected to take around 10 hours, and the government is considering additional evacuations and charter flights if necessary. The conflict, which escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Lebanon, with over 1,300 reported dead and more than a million displaced since mid-September. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vocally criticized Israel's actions, asserting Turkey's capability to counter any perceived threats from Israel, further complicating the regional dynamics.