‘Exercise caution’: Indian Embassy in Lebanon issues advisory for Indians amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions
Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: The Indian Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory on Monday for Indians living in the west Asian country after Israel's warning to the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group sparked fears of a war.
India issued a travel advisory which stated that Indians in Lebanon or Indians planning to travel to Lebanon must remain in contact with the Embassy in Beirut.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy said, "In view of the recent developments in the region, all Indian nationals in Lebanon and those planning to travel to Lebanon are advised to exercise caution and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Beirut through their email id: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number 96176860128."
The advisory came after Israel said that Hezbollah will "pay the price" after a rocket attack at Golan Heights killed 12 children.
Hezbollah has "firmly" denied the allegations that it was behind the strike, the deadliest to hit Israel or Israeli-controlled territory since the October 7 attacks.
The Israeli military has identified the rocket fired from northern Lebanon as an Iranian-made Falaq-1. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, targeting an Israeli military site. Despite this, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that there is no immediate escalation threat. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a Netanyahu ally, has called for severe retaliation against Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Lebanon. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands and resulted in significant casualties on both sides, including over 350 Hezbollah members and more than 100 civilians in Lebanon. The UN peacekeeping force is working to prevent further escalation.
ATTACKS FROM LEBANON
Since October, a network of Iranian-backed groups has intensified attacks in the Middle East to support Hamas, with Hezbollah being the most prominent. Both Yemeni Houthis and Iraqi factions have targeted Israel, alongside Hamas and Jama'a Islamiya in Lebanon, which have launched rocket strikes. The Golan Heights, home to over 40,000 Druze, has seen increased tension. An Israeli strike in Kfarkila, Lebanon, killing four militants from various factions, prompted Hezbollah to retaliate with at least four attacks, including Katyusha rockets. The Israeli military had targeted a Hezbollah facility after detecting a militant cell.
- With inputs from agencies
