Due to rising tensions in the Middle East, the Indian Embassy Issues advisory, urging Indian nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon and exercise extra caution.

The Embassy, in a recent update on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirmed its August 1, 2024 advisory, emphasising that the situation in Lebanon has grown more unstable due to recent events.

They Wrote, “As a reiteration of the Advisory issued on August 1, 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. All Indian nationals already in Lebanon are also strongly advised to leave Lebanon.”

It further says, “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…” They gave their contact details in the advisory to help people.

The updated advisory from the Indian Embassy in Lebanon comes after Israel’s army chief on Wednesday instructed troops to prepare for a possible ground offensive against Hezbollah. At the same time, US President Joe Biden warned of the danger of an “all-out war” in West Asia. The United Nations also reported that more than 90,000 Lebanese residents have been displaced in recent days.

Indian Embassy Issues Advisory
Image Source: Embassy of India Beirut, Lebanon(Official Website) - EOI Beirut,Lebanon

The Indian Embassy’s website in Beirut states that around 4,000 Indian nationals reside in Lebanon, with most of them working in companies, the construction industry, and agricultural farms.

Indian Army personnel have been stationed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since November 1998.

On August 1, the Indian Embassy issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Lebanon due to "potential threats in the region" following heightened tensions caused by the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

Attack On Hezbollah Leader

The tension rose after Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah leaders and hit several locations across Lebanon, causing hundreds of thousands to flee border areas. In response, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel.

Mourners in Beirut's suburbs attended the funerals of two senior Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli airstrikes.  All the funeral rituals were observed, with fighters in uniform carrying the flag-draped coffins, while a band played and the crowd chanted Hezbollah slogans, some mourners in tears.Israel announced its warplanes were targeting southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold, and mobilised two more reserve brigades for operations along the northern border.

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