Around 3,000 French citizens have fled Lebanon since the eruption of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah amid the war in Gaza, France’s top diplomat said Tuesday.
French authorities have organised flights and other assistance for around 350 of its nationals most at risk to leave Lebanon, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told parliament.
For now Paris has not ordered an evacuation of its estimated 23,000 citizens who live in Lebanon, which was governed by France under a UN mandate until 1943.
“No decision on an evacuation has been taken but… we are preparing to take decisions if necessary,” Barrot said.
Israel drastically escalated its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon starting September 23 and has since launched a ground offensive intended to push the group back from its northern border.
Hezbollah has been firing thousands of projectiles into Israel over the last year in support of Hamas, displacing tens of thousands of Israelis.
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