It comes a week after the UK government initially advised against all but essential travel to the country after “mortar and artillery exchanges” were reported in southern Lebanon. 

Ministers have urged any British nationals in the country to leave at once “while commercial options remain available”. Anyone considering travel to the country from the UK, meanwhile, has been warned doing so would likely invalidate their insurance.

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice,” the Foreign Office said on Wednesday night (18 October).

British nationals in Lebanon have also been encouraged to register their presence with the government. 

“In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, the British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide," said the Foreign Office.

The FCDO has over the past few days facilitated a programme of repatriation flights from Israel, but has warned nationals in Lebanon not to necessarily expect the same. "Do not rely on the FCDO being able to evacuate you in an emergency," it said.

A number of major UK carriers, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet and Wizz Air, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Israel more broadly, although the FCDO stressed some international flights to and from Tel Aviv and Eilat were continuing to operate.