This week, approximately 250 Americans and their families were evacuated from Lebanon via U.S.-arranged flights as fighting escalates between Israel and Hezbollah. However, thousands of others remain in Lebanon, facing airstrikes and limited commercial flight options.
In Washington, senior officials from the State Department and the White House met Thursday with prominent Arab American leaders to discuss efforts to assist American citizens in leaving Lebanon. Michigan state Rep. Alabas Farhat and Abed Ayoub, executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, emphasized the logistical challenges faced by their community members during the evacuation.
Community leaders in Michigan, which has a significant Arab American population, are urging the U.S. government to initiate a full-scale evacuation. However, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh stated that such plans are not currently being considered. She reassured reporters that the military is prepared and has various plans in place for evacuating American citizens if needed.
The situation in Lebanon has intensified, with Israel increasing airstrikes and conducting ground operations targeting Hezbollah leaders. Additionally, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel, raising concerns about a potential regional conflict.
Since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, another Iranian-backed group, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have become almost daily occurrences.
In response to the crisis, other nations, including Greece, the U.K., Japan, and Colombia, have arranged flights or deployed military aircraft to evacuate their citizens.
Among those affected is Kamel Ahmad Jawad, a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, who was killed in southern Lebanon while assisting civilians unable to evacuate. His daughter shared that he was on a call with her when an airstrike struck, causing him to urge her to let him finish praying.
For nearly a year, the State Department has advised against travel to Lebanon and recommended that Americans leave via commercial flights. While government-organized evacuations are rare, the department has offered emergency loans to help facilitate travel out of Lebanon.
Many Americans have reported difficulties securing flights due to limited bank access amid Lebanon’s economic crisis, as well as power and internet outages. Rebecca Abou-Chedid, a Washington lawyer, described how she paid $5,000 for a relative to secure the last available seat on a flight out of Beirut just as Israeli bombing intensified.
Jenna Shami, a Lebanese American in Dearborn, mentioned that her family members have faced challenges in contacting the U.S. Embassy due to the ongoing strikes, making it harder to arrange flights.
The U.S. Embassy has offered loans for charter flights, but some Americans have struggled to find available planes. However, Shami expressed optimism that her family members finally secured upcoming flight tickets.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the U.S. will continue to organize flights as long as the security situation remains critical and there is demand. He noted that Lebanon’s flag carrier, Middle East Airlines, had set aside around 1,400 seats for Americans, with several hundred already taken.
Over the past week, more than 6,000 American citizens have reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut for information about leaving the country. While not all are seeking assistance, many, including dual U.S.-Lebanese nationals, may choose to stay.
The embassy is also prepared to offer temporary loans to Americans who wish to relocate within Lebanon for safety or for those wanting to leave on U.S.-contracted flights.
