Around 5,000 British citizens are in Lebanon, and the United Nations said more than 90,000 Lebanese people have been displaced in recent days. Asked about the rumoured ground invasion, Mr Healey replied: ‘We’re watching this really carefully. That will be a matter for the Israelis.

British nationals in Lebanon have been urged to leave the country immediately amid escalating violence between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah.

The EU has warned airlines to avoid Israeli and Lebanese airspace for a month, whilst many states urge their citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately. View on euronews

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has told British citizens still in Lebanon "leave now", following a series of huge explosions that have destroyed several apartment buildings in Beirut.

Lebanese professor whose family have no plans to leave Lebanon said he is prepared to go there himself and “carry” his elderly father out of the country.Ahmed Hankir, 42, a professor in psychiatry, visited his parents in Lebanon last month and described the atmosphere there as “sombre”,