BEIJING: China stated on Saturday (Oct 5) that it has evacuated 215 of its nationals from Lebanon, the place Israel has been finishing up intense bombardments since final month, leading to greater than 1,100 deaths.
This week, Israel stated its troops launched “floor raids” into components of southern Lebanon, a stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah, following days of heavy strikes on areas throughout the nation the place the group holds sway.
Israel has not too long ago shifted its focus to securing its northern border with Lebanon, the place there have been near-daily clashes since Hezbollah launched strikes in help of its Palestinian ally Hamas, after that group’s Oct 7, 2023, assault.
A number of nations have launched operations to take away their nationals from Lebanon within the wake of the bottom raids, together with South Korea, Russia, France, Spain, Germany and the UK.
“Thus far, 215 Chinese language residents have been safely evacuated from Lebanon in two batches underneath the organisation and association of the Chinese language authorities,” Beijing’s overseas ministry stated in an announcement given to AFP.
“The Chinese language embassy in Lebanon continues to hold out its mission in Lebanon and can proceed to help the Chinese language residents there in taking safety measures,” it added.
The ministry didn’t say the place the evacuated Chinese language nationals had been taken.
In accordance with Lebanese authorities, greater than 1,110 folks have been killed within the nation because the escalation in Israeli bombardment on Sep 23, whereas greater than 1,000,000 folks have been compelled to flee their houses.
On Wednesday, China urged world powers to stop the battle from “additional deteriorating” after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, which warned it might make Tehran “pay” for the assault.
