The Indian Embassy in Beirut has urged its nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon due to escalating tensions with Israel, and urged the ones already there to exercise extreme caution and leave the country as soon as possible.
In an advisory posted on social media platform X on Wednesday, the Indian embassy said, “As a reiteration of the advisory issued on 1 August 2024 and in view of the recent developments and escalations in the region, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Lebanon till further notice.”
It also cautioned Indians to remain on the alert and in contact with the embassy “All Indian nationals already in Lebanon are also strongly advised to leave Lebanon. Those who remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Beirut through our email ID: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128.”
Rising Tensions in the Region
The advisory comes on the back of rising escalations between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group. It has a long standing feud with Israel in the region, and tempers have been flaring since last years Hamas attacks.
Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the region has been caught up in one clash after another. Post the Hamas incursions, Israel responded with massive mobilization and bombardment of Hamas infrastructure and bases. Israel then went on to assassinate many Hamas leaders in the region. This brought it into conflict with other Shia groups and nations namely Hezbollah and Iran.
Lebanon have claimed that Israeli strikes had killed more than 560 Lebanese and injured almost 2,000 in the deadliest attack since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Several Hezbollah leaders have also been targeted in the attacks, including the commander of its most elite unit who was killed in a strike in Beirut.
Meanwhile Hezbollah affirms that its attacks against Israel are in support of its ally Hamas. Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah assured that the barrages will continue — and Israelis won’t be able to return to their homes in the north — until Israel’s campaign in Gaza ends.
Clashes Between Lebanon based Hezbollah and Israel
Since mid-September, there has been a remarkable escalation in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. First there was the pager and walkie-talkie blast attack used by Hezbollah that killed almost 50 people and maimed over three thousand.
On September 20 Hezbollah launched a wave of rockets into northern Israel. Since then, both sides have fired dozens of rockets on a daily basis, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis in the north to huddle in air raid shelters, and prompting tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in parts of southern Lebanon where Hezbollah has a strong presence. The United Nations said more than 90,000 Lebanese people have been displaced in recent days.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Wednesday said that 200,00 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel nearly a year ago, drawing Israeli retaliation. According to Lebanon’s health minister, 51 people were killed and 223 wounded in Israeli strikes.
Israel’s Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Thursday that his government had not responded to a push by the United States and its allies for a 21-day ceasefire in Israel’s fight with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
“It is an American-French proposal, which the prime minister has not even responded to,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office, adding that he had ordered the army “to continue the fighting with full force”.
In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Israel Katz also opposed any halt to the fighting, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” Katz said, referring the thousands who have been displaced by nearly a year of cross-border clashes which escalated this week.
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also assured a full throttle attack, “The campaign in the north should end with a single result: crushing Hezbollah and elimination of its ability to harm the residents of the north. The enemy must not be given time to recover from the heavy blows it has suffered and reorganise itself to continue the war after 21 days.”
He added, “Hezbollah’s surrender or war — this is the only way to bring back the residents and security to the north and the country.”
As war looms on the horizon, and with no signs or intention of de-escalation from either side, it is best for Indian nationals to heed the warnings of the Indian embassy and make the necessary arrangements regarding their safety.