Saudi Arabia has called for all its citizens to leave Lebanon “immediately” as tensions mount along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, Reuters reports.

The Gulf kingdom’s embassy in Beirut said it was “closely following the developments” in southern Lebanon, where at least 18 people have been killed in exchanges of fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.

After a rocket strike on a Gaza hospital killed hundreds on Tuesday, Hezbollah called for a “day of rage”. Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to protest the strike.

The Saudi embassy statement said citizens remaining in Lebanon should “exercise caution and stay away from places where gatherings or demonstrations are taking place”.

Kuwait this week also warned its citizens against travelling to Lebanon.