Our Bureau
Beirut
The Indian Embassy in Lebanon has issued a strong warning for Indian citizens to evacuate the country due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. This advisory follows recent Israeli military actions against Lebanon and Iran’s threats of retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week. The embassy emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging nationals to leave Lebanon immediately and exercise extreme caution if they remain. This marks the third advisory issued by the embassy in just 48 hours, reflecting the deteriorating security conditions in the region.
In a tweet, the Indian Embassy said, “In view of the recent developments and potential threats in the region, Indian nationals are strongly advised against traveling to Lebanon till further notice.”
An emergency number has also been issued by the Embassy for Indian nationals in Lebanon.
Several nations, including the United States, Australia, and Canada, have advised their citizens to exit Lebanon promptly amid escalating tensions in the region.
The situation intensified on Monday following an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. This strike was reportedly a response to a previous rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on July 27, which claimed the lives of 12 teenagers and children. The U.S. and Israel attribute this attack to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, further complicating the already volatile atmosphere stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted on October 7 of the previous year.
As per the reports, flights at Beirut airport have been canceled or delayed over fears that Israel and Hezbollah could engage in a full-scale war.
On Monday, the Indian Embassy in Lebanon issued a warning to Indian nationals, urging them to “exercise caution” and maintain communication with the embassy as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a separate development, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’s political wing, was killed late Wednesday at his residence in Tehran, according to statements from both Hamas and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Hamas alleged that Haniyeh was killed during an “Israeli” raid, which also claimed the life of one of his bodyguards.
Following Haniyeh’s death, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been vocal against Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, reportedly ordered a “direct attack” on Israel in retaliation, as reported by The New York Times, citing three Iranian officials.
