The UK government has arranged a charter flight to evacuate British nationals from Lebanon as fighting in the region escalates, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced.

Lammy described the situation as “volatile” with the potential to “deteriorate quickly,” shortly before Israel launched a “localised and targeted” ground operation in southern Lebanon.

British nationals, along with their spouses, partners, and children under 18, are eligible for the flight, with vulnerable individuals prioritized. The plane is set to depart from Beirut on Wednesday, following Israeli airstrikes in the area.

There are an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 UK nationals and their dependents currently in Lebanon. The government will cover the cost of chartering the flight, but passengers will be required to pay £350 per seat. Non-British dependents must hold a visa valid for at least six months to enter the UK.

Future flights will depend on demand and the security situation, the Foreign Office stated.

“The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our utmost priority,” said Lammy. He urged British citizens to leave Lebanon, warning of the unpredictable nature of the conflict.

Hours after the announcement, the Israeli military confirmed a “limited, localised and targeted” ground operation against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, with airstrikes hitting southern Beirut.