Israel war: Canada asks citizens to leave Lebanon as border clashes escalate

With the Israel-Lebanon border tensions escalating, Canada has advised citizens in Lebanon to leave the country while the commercial flights are available.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel has been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israel border since the Hamas attack on October 7. 

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran and Hezbollah “not to test Israel”.

The Palestinian death toll on Gaza rose over 2,800 as per the Gaza Health Ministry.

Hezbollah on Monday had said that it has targeted five Israeli positions in northern Israel. 

They also claimed to have destroyed Israel’s surveillance camera set up along the border.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Israel, reiterated US’s deep commitment towards Israel. Israel defence minister Yoav Gallant has said “a long war” lies ahead of them.

Canada has been using two military planes to airlift people who needed help leaving Israel, and earlier on Monday, Joly said the first group of Canadians had safely crossed from the West Bank into Jordan.

There are also about 300 people in Gaza that Canada is seeking to bring out through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.

Also, five Canadians were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel, said a Canadian official.

While, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that six Britons lost their lives in the attack.

Ahead of the Israel’s ground attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will make an official visit to Lebanon on Tuesday.

Fidan will visit Lebanon at the invitation of his Lebanese counterpart.