Canadian Government’s Risk Level for Lebanon Raised to Highest Level

Flag of Lebanon (File Photo: Charbel Karam/Unsplash)

Last week, the Canadian government elevated its risk assessment for Lebanon to the highest level, advising against all travel to the region.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is urging Canadians currently in Lebanon to take heed of the government’s one-week-old travel advisory, although she has not disclosed whether Canada is ready to facilitate the evacuation of its citizens at the government’s expense.

The recent escalation in tensions can be traced back to the events that began shortly after October 7th, when Hamas militants initiated an attack on southern Israel. This led to clashes between Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese political party and armed group that supports Hamas, and Israel.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2005 and is controlled by Hamas, as well as conducting strikes in Lebanon.

The government has identified approximately 14,000 Canadians in Lebanon but acknowledges that there may be more individuals not accounted for.