Amid rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, China has urged its citizens in Israel to leave “as soon as possible.” The Chinese embassy in Israel issued a statement on Sunday, expressing concern over the volatile situation, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border, which has seen frequent military clashes.
“Currently, the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border is extremely tense, with frequent military conflicts,” the embassy’s statement warned. It further described Israel’s overall security situation as “severe, complex, and unpredictable.”
In light of these developments, Chinese nationals in Israel have been advised to “return home or relocate to safer areas as soon as possible” to avoid potential dangers from the escalating violence.
Tensions flared on Sunday when both Israel and Hezbollah threatened to intensify their cross-border attacks despite international calls for restraint. This follows an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on Friday, which killed Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. The strike targeted a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Earlier in the week, coordinated explosions involving communications devices in Lebanon, which were attributed to Israel, resulted in the deaths of 39 people and left nearly 3,000 wounded. In response to the increasing instability, China had also urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave after a senior Palestinian militant was killed in a separate Israeli strike last month.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides preparing for potential escalation despite calls from the international community for de-escalation.
