India issues travel advisory asking citizens to exercise caution

New Delhi, July 29: Fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah are mounting following a deadly rocket attack in the Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 children.

Israel has attributed the attack to Hezbollah, vowing that the militant group will "pay the price" for the atrocity. In response, Israel's security cabinet has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant the authority to determine the nature and timing of retaliatory measures.

Lebanon has received reassurances from third countries, likely including the US and France, that Israel’s response will be limited. Despite Hezbollah's denial of responsibility for the attack, which is the deadliest incident since the October 7 Hamas attacks, tensions remain high.

India issues Advisory, Asks Nationals to Exercise Caution

In light of the volatile situation, the Indian Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory on Monday, urging Indian nationals to maintain close contact with the embassy and exercise caution. The advisory emphasized the importance of staying informed and provided emergency contact details: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in and tel No 96176860128.

The situation escalated further on Monday when an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon wounded three people, including an infant. Additionally, the Israeli military reported that its air defences intercepted a drone from Lebanon in Western Galilee.

As airlines respond to the growing threat of conflict, flights at Beirut's international airport have been either cancelled or delayed. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Tokyo, emphasized the US support for Israel while urging for the conflict not to escalate further.

Several European nations, including Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon urgently or reiterated earlier warnings. Airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Eurowings have suspended their flights to and from Beirut in anticipation of Israeli retaliation.

Western governments continue to urge restraint, with the White House actively engaged in diplomatic discussions to prevent further escalation.

As the international community watches closely, the Indian Embassy's advisory underscores the seriousness of the threat and the need for Indian nationals in Lebanon to prioritise their safety amid this turbulent period.