Britain has withdrawn the families of its embassy staff in Israel as fighting escalates

Britain has withdrawn the families of its embassy staff from Israel amid escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the prospect of a wider regional conflict.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement on its travel advice website for Israel that it had arranged for the families of its embassy staff to be temporarily evacuated as a precautionary measure following the escalation of tensions in the region, while its staff would remain in Israel.

As the current round of Israel-Kazakhstan conflict turns one year old, the situation between Israel and Hezbollah is also deteriorating. Recently, the Israeli army not only sent troops to southern Lebanon, but also carried out a series of air strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut and other places, and killed the Secretary-General of Hezbollah for more than 30 years, Hassan Nasrallah, triggering a missile retaliation attack by Hezbollah's ally Iran.

At the same time, Israel is preparing to expand its ground invasion of Lebanon. Earlier Monday (October 7), Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Haifa, Israel's third-largest city. The IDF issued a statement that afternoon saying it was launching intensive strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, Britain is advising its citizens against all non-essential travel to areas near the Gaza border and to other parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Foreign Office said: "We recognise that the situation is fast-moving and there are significant risks. We strongly recommend that you check that you and your family have the necessary documentation to travel on short notice."