Despite Lebanon's history of conflict, the suddenness of the latest conflict took many governments by surprise . The Israeli strategy of blockade, including seaports, the Beirut airport, and key roads and bridges, meant that expected escape routes were unavailable. Lebanon borders only Israel and Syria. According to a spokesman for the British High Commission in the Republic of Cyprus, both France and the United States have secured permission from the British to use the facilities of the British Sovereign Base Areas, which includes RAF Akrotiri.
Most countries evacuated their nationals by sea and air via Republic of Cyprus and Turkey or by bus through Syria.
The following is a brief list of the number of foreign nationals in Lebanon during the war:
- Sri Lanka: 80,000
- Canada: 50,000 (11,000 evacuated, 11,000 home, 8 killed)
- Philippines: 30,000 (2,629 home, 65 in Syria, 2 dead)
- Australia: 25,000
- United States: 25,000 Over 15,000 were evacuated in 2006. About 30 evacuees were denied reentry into the United States, leading to protests outside the US embassy in Cyprus.
- UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
- France: 20,000
- Bangladesh: 20,000
- Egypt: 15,000 (1200 evacuated)
- India: 12,000
- Sweden: 7,000 (7,000 evacuated)
- Denmark: 4,100
- Nepal: 4,000 (Nepalese government claims that its citizens are safe from harm)
- Venezuela: around 4,000.
- Germany: 2,600
- Greece:2500-5000
- Russia: 1,500 (250 evacuated)
- Romania: 1,200 (over 400 individually entered Syria, other 651 evacuated by authorities as of July 21)
- Armenia: 1,200 (730 evacuated from both Lebanon and Israel, dozens of Lebanese Armenians have been granted asylum)
- Ukraine: 1,200 (379 evacuated, 1 killed)
- Poland: 329 (all evacuated)
- Moldova: 240 (150 evacuated)
- Mexico: 216 that wish to be evacuated
- Bulgaria: 207 that wish to be evacuated, over 100 already in Syria and on their way home.
- Iran: 200 evacuated
- Ireland: 161 already evacuated. 17 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently serving in the Middle East.
- Cyprus: 102 evacuated.
- Croatia: 58 already evacuated.
- Slovakia: 56 already evacuated.
- Peru: Approximately 50 when crisis broke out, 4 evacuated by Chilean Airforce so far. Plans for evacuation include a route through Syria and a concerted effort involving Spain and Latin American allies.
- Kazakhstan: 31 already evacuated, 8 are still in Lebanon
- Malaysia: 10 evacuated.
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