Amid an increase in unrest throughout the West Bank, reports suggest that the Biden administration has initiated preparations for the potential mass evacuation of hundreds of thousands of American citizens from the Middle East.

The Washington Post reported that four officials well-acquainted with the US government's contingency planning have expressed concerns that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas may lead to a more extensive escalation.

These officials emphasized the specific worry about American residents in both Israel and neighboring Lebanon, underscoring that the large-scale evacuation is considered a worst-case scenario. They also noted that the government is actively devising potential solutions for more probable outcomes. Nevertheless, one of the officials pointed out that not having a plan for all possible scenarios would be irresponsible.

The Israeli Defense Forces, supported by US military aid, have been preparing for the long-anticipated ground offensive against Hamas militants. This move comes in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel from Gaza, which took place on October 7th, catching the world by surprise.

The officials mentioned that while the United States remains a strong supporter of its ally Israel, there is deep concern about the potential for an escalation of the conflict. They also pointed out that in recent days, the need to suddenly relocate a significant number of people has prompted the US to consider the complex logistical aspects of such a process. According to estimates from the State Department, there were approximately 600,000 US citizens in Israel and an additional 86,000 in Lebanon at the time of the Hamas attack.

The report highlighted that Lebanon is a major source of concern for Washington due to the presence of Hezbollah, a militant organization and political party that has held influence in the country since 1992. This group has a history of receiving training and weapons from Iran, which has raised apprehensions about the possibility of them launching an attack against Israel from the north, potentially leading to a two-front conflict and placing strain on Israeli forces.

Quoting an official, the Washington Post reported that this has evolved into a significant issue, and the administration is profoundly concerned that the situation could escalate beyond control.

The report also mentioned that the Biden administration has worries about the ongoing protests across the Arab world, which, according to top officials, pose a significant risk to US personnel and citizens.