South Korea military aircraft evacuates 97 from Lebanon amid escalating tension

Nations worldwide have prepared contingency plans to evacuate citizens from Lebanon after a dramatic escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah, backed by Iran.

Although no country has launched a large-scale military evacuation yet, some are chartering aircraft.

Australia, for instance, has organised hundreds of airline seats for its citizens to leave Lebanon, flying military aircraft to Cyprus in a contingency plan.

Plans could include evacuation by sea, though authorities have urged an estimated 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains open.

Germany’s foreign ministry said it was flying another 219 nationals out of Lebanon on Friday as it continues to evacuate non-essential staff, families of embassy workers and medically vulnerable nationals. It said it will support others trying to leave.

Japan dispatched two C-2 military transport aircraft to Lebanon on Thursday. The planes are standing by for the evacuation of Japanese nationals. There are 40 to 50 Japanese citizens in Lebanon.

More than 200 Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated by the government, the official Xinhua news agency said.