Netherlands, Canada Advise against Unnecessary Travel to Lebanon

Canada issued a travel advisory to Lebanon.
Canada issued a travel advisory to Lebanon.
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Netherlands, Canada Advise against Unnecessary Travel to Lebanon

Canada issued a travel advisory to Lebanon.
Canada issued a travel advisory to Lebanon.

The Dutch government on Friday warned its citizens against any unnecessary travel to Lebanon due to armed conflict in the region.

The Netherlands had earlier this week warned against travel to the south of Lebanon, near the volatile border with northern Israel, and now said it also advised against travel to the rest of Lebanon unless strictly necessary.

Earlier, Canada issued a travel advisory on Friday calling on Canadian citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon unless it was for "essential" reasons.  

On its official X account, the Canadian government said: “Avoid non-essential travel to Lebanon due to an unpredictable security situation”.  

It also urged its citizens who are already in Lebanon, to make sure to carry their travel papers and identity cards at all times in the event that the armed conflict intensifies.



Türkiye Says Hamas Would be More Open to Deal Seeking Lasting Peace with Israel

Palestinians inspect the damage caused by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Tuesday. (AP)
Palestinians inspect the damage caused by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Tuesday. (AP)
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Türkiye Says Hamas Would be More Open to Deal Seeking Lasting Peace with Israel

Palestinians inspect the damage caused by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Tuesday. (AP)
Palestinians inspect the damage caused by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Tuesday. (AP)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas in recent days had shown the group would be more open to an agreement that goes beyond a ceasefire in Gaza and aims for a lasting solution to the crisis with Israel.

On April 19, Fidan and Türkiye's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, held talks with Hamas officials in Ankara to discuss the latest efforts for a ceasefire and the situation in Gaza, Reuters reported.

Speaking in Doha, Fidan said those talks showed Hamas would be more willing to sign a deal that also addresses the issue of occupied Palestinian territories and other issues.

He also noted that the crisis could be turned into an opportunity to implement the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.