Pistorius calls on Germans to leave Lebanon
Given the escalating situation in the Middle East, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius urges Germans in Lebanon not to wait for an evacuation. "It's crucial that those who are in Lebanon now, German citizens, use this time to leave, both for their own safety and to avoid putting others in a position where they might have to fly in to rescue German citizens. Everyone has a responsibility," Pistorius told Deutschlandfunk.
The SPD politician assured that evacuations could be swiftly initiated if necessary. The Ministry of Defense regularly assesses the situation with the Foreign Office and international partners. "If it becomes clear that the risk is too great or that swift action is needed, we can be ready to act within two days and carry out evacuations," Pistorius said, who is currently in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Tensions in the Middle East have further intensified since Israel killed a Hezbollah commander in a suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Tuesday evening. Hours later, the Hamas chief of staff, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an attack in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Iran and Hamas blame Israel for Haniyeh's killing and have threatened retaliation.
- Despite the SPD politician's assurance of swift evacuations if necessary, it's still advisable for German citizens in Lebanon to heed Defense Minister Pistorius's urging to leave early, given the volatile and uncertain ['The situation'] in the region.
- The current ['The situation'] in the Middle East, marked by heightened tension and threats of retaliation following recent attacks, emphasizes the necessity for careful monitoring and timely decisions by the Ministry of Defense and its international partners.
