“Swedes” are asked to leave Lebanon

Published 28 July 2024 at 09.04

Foreign. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström calls on all Swedish citizens to leave Lebanon immediately after a deadly rocket attack on the Golan Heights. The government is thus trying to avoid the difficulties of evacuating refugees who are holidaying with Swedish passports in their home country.

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Eleven children and young people were killed and around 40 were injured when rockets from Lebanon struck down on a football pitch in Majdal Shams. Israel blames Hezbollah for the attack, but the group denies involvement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned home from the United States to attend an emergency meeting. Foreign Minister Israel Katz warns that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war against Hezbollah and Lebanon.

– We are approaching the moment for a full-scale war against Hezbollah and Lebanon, says Katz.

Billström underlines that the risk of war is high and repeats the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' call that Swedes should leave Lebanon immediately.

“I have said it several times and I say it again: it is necessary for Swedish citizens to leave Lebanon and to refrain from going to the country,” writes Billström on X.

The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified after Hamas's attack on Israel in October last year. The conflict shows no signs of abating and Swedes in the region are urged to act quickly and safely.