Beirut, Lebanon - October 09, 2024

Turkey on Wednesday deployed two military frigates to evacuate some 2,000 of its citizens stranded in Lebanon, as Israel's bombing campaign intensifies.

The two Turkish-flagged navy vessels set sail for Beirut one day earlier as part of the evacuation operation, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The ministry added that evacuation efforts would continue as necessary over the coming days, given that some 14,000 people are registered with Turkish consulates in Lebanon.

In addition to carrying out the evacuation, the military ships have also delivered some 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

Scores of Turkish citizens rushed to Beirut's port area to process their evacuation paperwork, carrying as many belongings as they could.

Emotional farewells were exchanged as some family members prepared to depart while others stayed behind.

Jalal Elsayed, a Turkish resident in Lebanon, said that Wednesday's evacuation was somewhat delayed, as had it been sooner, he might have avoided injury.

Everyone at the port was in desperate search of safety after weeks of Israeli airstrikes that have displaced more than 1.2 million people. Many told of the distressing situation they faced and are now hoping to escape the horrors of the Israeli bombings.

The current operation at the Beirut port marks the largest state-sponsored sea evacuation since the conflict escalated in Lebanon, with most of the evacuees holding dual Turkish and Lebanese citizenships. The ships are now heading for Mersin on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey.

Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Baris Ulusoy warned that the situation could deteriorate in the near future, adding that authorities are preparing for the "worst-case scenario."

Israel says it is planning for a wider ground operation in southern Lebanon. As foreigners have started leaving the country, fears are mounting that a large-scale military campaign, similar to that in Gaza, could commence once all non-Lebanese nationals have left.

The Israeli military has been conducting an air campaign in Lebanon, dubbed "Arrows of the North," since Sept 23, in response to escalating tensions with Hezbollah, marking a significant intensification of hostilities.

Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border since last October, fueling concerns of a wider regional conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 9, 2024:
1. Various of evacuated Turkish citizens setting out, heading for port;
2. Various of evacuated Turkish citizens bidding farewell to families, friends who cannot leave;
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jalal Elsayed, Turkish citizen (partially overlaid with shot 4):
"My house was destroyed in a strike. I had planned to go check on it a couple of days ago. A missile hit nearby, and a fragment sliced through my hand, passing from one side to the other. I need two surgeries.";
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4. Suitcases, luggage;
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5. Turkish citizens waiting at port to leave Lebanon;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kamal Ahmed Hashem, Turkish citizen (starting with shot 5):
"Of course, there was terror from the bombings and the airstrikes. Maybe we as grown-ups could handle it, but the kids can't. It's heart-wrenching to see them caught up in the midst of such attacks.";
7. Turkish citizens at Turkish embassy in Lebanon;
8. Man waving goodbye to family member;
9. Various of Turkish citizens at port, suitcases;
10. SOUDNBITE (English) Ali Baris Ulusoy, Turkish ambassador to Lebanon (starting with shot 9/partially overlaid with shot 11):
"To be honest, in light of recent developments, it would be too unrealistic to expect a conflict which could end in the coming days. So, I think as we've seen with what the Israeli aggression has been able to do in Palestine, in Gaza and other parts of the world, the situation in Lebanon will be very difficult to improve in the foreseeable future. So that's why we are expecting ourselves and of course also preparing our community for the worst-case scenario.";
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11. Various of diplomatic personnel helping child complete visa information;
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12. Various of Turkish-flagged frigates;
13. Various of evacuated Turkish citizens at port.

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