To date, Britain has placed 700 troops in Cyprus in anticipation of the evacuation of British people from Lebanon due to increased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The UK government announced on Tuesday, with Defense Secretary John Healey advising Britons in Lebanon to flee the country immediately. The action has been taken against the backdrop of escalating fear that the tension may escalate further to cause further crisis in the Middle East.

Recent events have demonstrated how unpredictable that position is. Our message is clear: They should leave now, the country’s interior minister, Suella Braverman, said in a broadcast. Britain already has two Royal Navy ships, aircraft and transport helicopters reportedly on standby in the region in case of further escalation. 

Labor Party’s prime minister Keir Starmer criticised the escalation of the conflict, arguing that it is leading the region to a dangerous cliff edge. When asked about the protests in an interview with the LBC radio, Starmer emphasised moderation. ”It is time for all parties to step back,” he said. Starmer also unveiled further intent to confront the UN General Assembly in New York, asking for a calm down in the fight.

The conflict that started nearly a year ago between Israel and Hamas in Gaza escalates as Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, joins the conflict. Apart from Hamas, Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel, and this has heightened the possibility of an expanded war in the region. Shocking losses have been reported in Lebanon as a result of the military moves by Israel: Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said that 569 people, including 50 children, have died since Monday. Other 1835 have been injured, and thousands of IDPs are living in schools and other temporary structures in the northern region of Lebanon.

The nation of Israel, which has been pounding the Gaza Strip in its war against Hamas, said it is now turning its attention to its border with Lebanon. The Israeli government said that the attack would escalate the situation into a wider regional conflict involving Hezbollah. 

The UK is not the only country that has cause to worry about the situation. European and United Nations leaders have been calling on the parties to reduce tensions and described the conflict as a threat to the entire Middle East region. But with Hezbollah’s continued rocket barrage and Israel’s unhinged bombardment, the chances of attaining a cease-fire are not clear at all.

In the meantime, military actions and diplomatic efforts are observed; Cyprus, a British colony, is very important in the evacuation or search and rescue of British subjects. The situation remains tense, and British authorities watch the progress closely as the region approaches a large-scale conflict.