As tensions increased along Lebanon's southern border with Israel, Saudi Arabia yesterday urged all its citizens to leave Lebanon "immediately."

The embassy of the Gulf state in Beirut said it was "closely following developments" in southern Lebanon, where at least 18 people have been killed in clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

Most of those killed were fighters, but two civilians and a Reuters journalist were among them. On the Israeli side, at least three people have died.

Last 7 October, the Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched a massive attack against Israel, killing more than 1,400 people — mostly civilians — by shooting, stabbing, and setting properties on fire.

Israeli retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of almost 3,500 persons, predominantly civilians.

Since then, Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group with roots in Lebanon and supported by Iran, like Hamas, have engaged in several hit-for-hit episodes.

Hezbollah demanded a "day of rage" following a rocket attack on a Gaza hospital that resulted in the deaths of hundreds on Tuesday.

Despite Israel's denial, hundreds of Hezbollah supporters gathered in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday to protest the airstrike.

Saudi Arabian citizens still in Lebanon were advised to "exercise caution and avoid areas where gatherings and demonstrations are taking place," said a statement from the Saudi embassy.

This week, Kuwait issued a similar travel advisory to its residents.

The foreign ministry of Kuwait advised people who wanted to go to Lebanon to "be patient and postpone travel during this stage" and to those who were already there to "return voluntarily if there is no urgent need for their presence."