Pinoys in Lebanon urged to evacuate while commercial flights still available

The Philippine Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon has urged Filipinos to evacuate while commercial flights are still available amid the continued exchange of rockets between Israel and Hezbollah.

The affected areas include northern Israel and southern Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, with Israeli warplanes carrying out the most intense bombardment in almost a year of conflict across Lebanon's south and Hezbollah firing rockets deep into northern Israel.

This came after days of injuries among thousands of Lebanese due to the explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies across the country. These attacks, widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, also killed at least 39 people. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Lebanon remains under Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation).

Filipinos were also advised to communicate with the Philippine Embassy, at 70 858 086, and the Department of Migrant Office, at 79 110 729, in Lebanon. — Mariel Celine Serquiña with a report from Reuters/BM, GMA Integrated News