The foreign ministry on Sunday strongly urged South Koreans residing in Lebanon and Israel to leave the countries as soon as possible amid escalating security concerns in the Middle East.

Chaired by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun, the ministry held a meeting to review the security situation in the Middle East and examine measures for the safe protection of South Koreans in the region.

At the meeting, Kang strongly urged South Koreans residing in Lebanon and Israel to depart the nations as soon as possible using available flights. She instructed the ministry and overseas missions to do their utmost to ensure the safety of Koreans in the event of any emergency.

Tensions in the region have heightened following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Tehran last week. Both Iran and Hamas have identified Israel as the perpetrator and have vowed retaliation.

Currently, there are approximately 530 South Koreans in Israel, 130 in Lebanon and 110 in Iran. Travel advisories have been issued, with Level 3, or a departure advisory, for all areas of Israel and Lebanon, and Level 4, or a travel ban, for the Gaza Strip. Most of Iran is under a Level 2 advisory, or a travel caution, except for some border regions.