Evacuating Irish citizens from Lebanon would be a 'complex operation', department says 

Residents and paramedics rush to help children moments after a rocket attack hit a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-controlled Golan of Heights, on Saturday. Picture: Hassan Shams/AP

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that an evacuation of Irish citizens in Lebanon would likely be “a complex and difficult operation”.

In a statement, it said officials have carried out “significant contingency planning” in the event that the security situation further deteriorates in the Middle Eastern country.

Ireland has very limited medium-range air capability to evacuate citizens, and is traditionally dependent on other EU member states and Britain to assist.

Ireland has ordered a transport aircraft — an Airbus C295W — which can be used not only to transport troops, but also to evacuate Irish citizens stranded in conflict zones.

However, that is not expected to arrive until the middle of next year.

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said on Monday that Irish citizens in Lebanon should leave on commercial flights.

Mr Martin, who is also minister of defence, said Irish citizens need to be aware that if the security situation deteriorates “we may be limited in the assistance we can provide”.

Military tensions have escalated after a missile struck a football pitch in Israeli-seized territory in the Golan Heights — killing at least 12 civilians, including children.

Israel and the US have blamed Hezbollah, but the Lebanon-based militia has denied it launched the missile — which is believed to have misfired.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin advised Irish citizens in Lebanon to leave by commercial methods. Picture: Damien Storan.

The head of Unifil has warned that retaliation could ignite a wider war, which would engulf the region in a “catastrophe beyond belief”.

During a visit to the strike location in Majdal Shams on Monday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel will not and cannot let this simply pass.

Our response will come, and it will be harsh

The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “The Department of Foreign Affairs has undertaken significant contingency planning to prepare for a possible consular crisis as a result of an escalation in Lebanon.

“In October, the department updated its Travel Advice to strongly advise against all travel to Lebanon. 

"We are in regular contact with those registered Irish citizens who remain in Lebanon, and continue to advise them to leave by commercial means while still possible. The Tánaiste reiterated this advice.” 

Regarding any evacuation, the statement said: “An evacuation of civilians, including Irish citizens from Lebanon, is likely to be a complex and difficult operation, and would require extensive cooperation with key partners.

The department is working closely with EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to emergencies, including for Lebanon

The statement added: “However, the department has advised citizens that, in light of the unpredictability of the situation, events could escalate with very little warning. 

"This could affect exit routes out of Lebanon, prevent access to possible evacuation points, or result in options for evacuation operations becoming unavailable.

“Citizens are strongly advised to avail of commercial methods to leave while they are available, rather than relying on evacuation options should the situation escalate. If the security situation deteriorates, the department may be limited in the assistance we can provide.”