AMSTERDAM

The Netherlands on Friday issued a travel advisory, asking its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible" due to the ongoing tension in the region.

The Foreign Ministry issued an update on X, urging Dutch citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and those who live there to leave "as soon as possible" as commercial flights are still operating.

The ministry also asked Dutch citizens who chose to stay in Lebanon to keep in touch with the embassy in Beirut and to be prepared for emergencies.

Tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border have been rising since Hamas launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” on Oct. 7 and Israel's subsequent campaign of heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Lebanon-based Hezbollah and the Israeli army have also exchanged fire, resulting in deaths and injuries on both sides.