The UK’s Foreign Secretary has stated that over 100,000 British citizens are anticipated to have evacuated the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict. Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, more than 300,000 British nationals have registered in the region, according to Yvette Cooper in a recent announcement to Parliament.
Cooper highlighted the challenging situation faced by British citizens trapped in the region after the airstrikes commenced and airspace closures. The government has been actively facilitating their return home, arranging additional charter flights from Muscat and Dubai. The total number of repatriated British nationals is projected to reach the milestone of 100,000 today.
In addition, Cooper criticized Tehran for its actions impacting the global economy during the conflict, leading to increased oil prices and a rise in living costs domestically.
Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary pledged an extra £10 million in aid for Lebanon, expressing concerns about the escalating conflict with Israel. Cooper emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic discussions to prevent further escalation and condemned attacks by Lebanese Hezbollah on Israel. She stressed the importance of supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and addressing the humanitarian impact on civilians from Israeli Defence Force operations.
The UK also committed to providing an additional £15 million in humanitarian assistance to offer emergency medical services, shelter, and life-saving aid in Lebanon and neighboring regions. This aid aims to mitigate further displacement and instability, preventing a worsening of the regional crisis with broader implications beyond the immediate area.
