BERLIN: Germany urged its citizens on Wednesday to leave Lebanon quickly, warning that an expansion of the Gaza crisis could not be ruled out after a drone strike in Beirut killed a senior Hamas leader.

“All German citizens, who are still in Lebanon, are asked to register on the crisis preparedness list and to leave the country as quickly as possible,” wrote the German foreign ministry on X.

The warning came after a meeting of the German government’s crisis unit.

“A further deterioration of the situation and expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out, especially given the killing of Saleh Al Aruri”, the ministry wrote.

“This applies above all to the southern part of Lebanon, up to and including the southern urban areas of Beirut.” Germany had already issued a warning against travel to Lebanon in October.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2024