Vietnam issues safety recommendations for citizens in Israel, Lebanon

Amid tension in the Middle East, including conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Lebanon on Tuesday warned Vietnamese citizens not to come to Lebanon at the moment.

Those living in Lebanon, if they don’t have truly important and essential work there, should consider leaving the country while commercial flights are still operating, the embassy said.

In any case, Vietnamese staying in Lebanon must keep in touch with each other so they can support one another when needed, and avoiding crowded places. Citizens can contact either the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt or the Vietnam’s Honorary Consulate in Lebanon.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on Tuesday also recommended the Vietnamese community in the country to perform measures to ensure security and safety. Citizens need to constantly get updates on news in Israel, and avoid going to unsafe areas and areas potentially vulnerable to Hezbollah attacks, especially in the north of Israel.

Israeli authorities accused Hezbollah forces in Lebanon of having launched rockets towards a football field in Majdal Shams on July 27, causing the death of 12 people and leaving several others injured. Hezbollah has denied the accusation.

Israeli government and army said they would retaliate against Hezbollah, sparking fears of a total war between the two sides. Israel then launched an attack onto Beirut, killing Fuad Shukr, a leader of the Hezbollah armed forces.

Tension in the region has been escalating further since the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran’s capital Tehran early on Wednesday. Iran and its allies accused Israel of having performed the assassination, swearing revenge.