Hope for 'peace to come soon' amid spiralling Middle East conflict
We've been hearing from Shachar Wilson, who lives in Plymouth, and has family in Israel
Last updated 19 hours ago
It's hoped 'peace will come soon' amid the spiralling conflict in the Middle East.
A woman from the West Country says her family, who live in Israel, 'just want things to get better', as another flight carrying Britons from Lebanon has arrived in the UK.
A plane touched down on Thursday (3 October) from Beirut carrying more than 150 British nationals and dependents, after it was chartered by the UK government as concerns mount over how long the capital's airport can remain open.
The Foreign Office said a "limited number" of additional flights had been chartered, including the one which set off on Thursday heading for Britain.
Leaders from the G7 group of nations are urging regional players to act with "restraint", warning of a "dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation" leading to "uncontrollable" escalation and bolstered their condemnation of Iran.
A joint statement released on Thursday said: "We, the leaders of the G7, express deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and condemn in the strongest terms Iran's direct military attack against Israel, which constitutes a serious threat to regional stability.
"We unequivocally reiterate our commitment to the security of Israel. Iran's seriously destabilising actions throughout the Middle East through terrorist proxies and armed groups - including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas - as well as Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq, must stop."
'High emotion has been my response'
We're hearing from Shachar Wilson who lives in Plymouth, and who has family over in Israel.
She told us: "My response has been one of high emotion, especially because I have family in Israel, and at the moment, all I can do is be concerned for their welfare from afar.
"My reaction has also been a human one - and it's been a really tough time recently - and a really tough year since October 7th last year.
"It's currently the Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year, and what we celebrate is bringing in the sweet, prosperous and successful year, but I think a lot of people have struggled to identify with that this time round.
"Instead, we're just trying to keep that hope that peace will come soon, and I know my family just want things to get better."
Shachar also told us the most difficult thing has been not being able to reassure, and be with, her family.
She added: "I think helplessness is one of the toughest things for me.
"It's really hard being so far away at the best of times, but times like this really amplifies the distance, but we're doing what we can is keeping in contact online, over the phone, and also keeping the conversation going to make it not all about the conflict.
"I regularly chat about my kids to my family, and we're doing what we can to try and just keep their spirits up a little bit, I guess.
"Here in Plymouth, we've felt more alone and isolated than ever, so I've really been getting involved with our local Jewish community.
"They can understand how we're feeling - and that's a really powerful thing to be around those sort of connections.
"We've become more involved with our local Synagogue, too - it's all about being there for each other."
We asked her what people should do if people feel a disengaged from the current conflict, and Shachar said: "My message is for people to not feel alone and struggle with what they're seeing - especially in the media.
"It can be quite traumatic for people - and I would really urge people who want to understand more to look at a wide range of sources, especially amid a time of lots of misinformation, and if things are feeling tricky, it's really important to take a break from everything you're seeing too."
Flights continue to be chartered by the UK Government
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of the situation in Lebanon.
"The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our number one priority. That's why we are announcing additional chartered flights to help those who want to leave.
"I urge all British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the FCDO (Foreign Office) and leave the country immediately."
At least nine people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in Beirut overnight into Thursday, including seven Hezbollah-affiliated civilian emergency workers.
The World Health Organisation reported that 28 health workers were killed in the past day in Lebanon, with Lebanese health minister Firas Abiad warning that strikes on such workers violate international law.
The ground offensive in southern Lebanon also continued, with fighting which left eight Israeli soldiers dead.
Israel warned people to leave areas deeper into Lebanon, north of a UN-declared buffer zone, in a sign it will widen its incursion.
There are concerns in Whitehall that further military activity by Israel could result in the closure of the airport, cutting off the most straightforward exit route for British nationals in Lebanon.
If that happens the only option could be a military-led evacuation co-ordinated from the British bases in Cyprus.
Around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation is needed.
The UK and allies continued to urge Israel and its adversaries to pull back from the brink of all-out war in the Middle East.
Israel is still considering how to retaliate to Iran's ballistic missile barrage earlier this week.