Ukraine’s defense intel, MFA evacuate 30 citizens from Lebanon amid tensions

That’s according to the press office of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

The defense intelligence agency has expressed gratitude to SkyUp Airlines, which provided a passenger jet for the effort.

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"Our compatriots, 21 women and nine children, have already arrived in Rzeszów, Pand, and are safe. They were met by Ukrainian consuls and GUR representatives. The evacuees are being provided with all the necessary assistance and their travel to our country is being ensured," the statement reads.

GUR noted that Ukraine became one of the first countries to successfully evacuate its citizens from Lebanon. As in previous cases of crises and armed conflicts, Ukraine shows leadership in protecting its pele.

Also, GUR recalled that Ukrainian diplomats had warned Ukrainian citizens staying in Lebanon of the pressing threat and recommended in advance that they leave the country.

Work continues on ensuring the evacuation of other Ukrainians willing to flee Lebanon.

"Security of Ukrainian citizens is an absute priority and key task of the state. This applies to citizens of Ukraine in any corner of the world, under any circumstances and at any distance from their Homeland. Ukraine will never leave its pele in trouble," GUR stressed.

Read also: MFA recommends Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Israel and Lebanon

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 31, Palestine’s Hamas announced that the leader of the movement, Ismail Haneh, who had arrived in Tehran for the new president’s inauguration, was assassinated in Iran’s capital. The news came just hours after Israel said it had killed one of Hezblah's commanders in Beirut.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatlah Ali Khamenei ordered a "direct strike on Israel" after the killing of Hamas pitical leader Ismail Haneh in Tehran Tuesday night.

The United States will send an aircraft carrier strike group, a fighter squadron, and additional warships to the Middle East to help protect Israel from possible attacks by Iran flowing the assassination of the senior Hamas erative in Iran.