British nationals pay huge sums to flee Lebanon by luxury yacht and private jet after Israel launches ground invasion - but others are staying put despite the threat of an all-out Middle East war looming By Charlie Faulkner In Beirut and Andy Jehring In London Published: 22:16, 1 October 2024 | Updated: 22:20, 1 October 2024 e-mail View comments British nationals were scrambling to get out of Lebanon by any means last night with families desperately paying thousands to flee on luxury yachts and private jets. Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned Beirut airport could be closed at any moment, as he announced the Government has chartered a plane for those remaining today. Up to 6,000 UK citizens are still in Lebanon despite repeated warnings to get out before Israel 's invasion began on Monday evening.
As the bombs fell, the Mail spoke to several Britons on the ground who are refusing to move. One said: 'Sometimes cutting and running is not an option.' While Israel said 'fierce fighting' rages in southern Lebanon, drone attacks and air strikes have rocked Beirut and major cities further north with hundreds of civilians killed in the past two weeks .
It is feared the country could descend into civil war as Christian and Druze communities on the border block fleeing Shiite refugees, worried the presence of Hezbollah members among them will make their towns a target. Drone attacks and air strikes have rocked Beirut and major cities further north with hundreds of civilians killed in .