Jakarta. Indonesia has evacuated 25 of its citizens from Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes in the country. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed on Thursday, that the evacuees, part of the 155 Indonesian citizens residing in Lebanon, have safely arrived in Syria and are awaiting transport back to Indonesia.

"The evacuation is still in progress in Lebanon. We have evacuated some of our citizens," Retno stated during a press briefing in South Jakarta.

She added that the government is respecting the decision of those who chose to stay for personal reasons, with the current evacuation conducted overland.

"We will monitor their return to Indonesia, as airspace in several countries is experiencing disruptions," Retno said, highlighting the fluidity of the situation, as air routes open and close unexpectedly due to ongoing conflict.

To stay updated on the developments, Retno has established a communication group with ambassadors from the Middle East. The region has recently seen major escalations, including Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Iranian missile attacks on Israel.

At least six people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in Beirut late Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported, as countries rushed to evacuate their citizens from the conflict zone.

Israel intensified its military operations with a ground incursion into Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, while also carrying out airstrikes in Gaza that left dozens dead, including children. The Israeli military confirmed that eight of its soldiers had been killed in the fighting in southern Lebanon.

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN stated that Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday as a warning against further Israeli violence, while Israel’s ambassador condemned the attack, calling it an "unprecedented act of aggression."

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