The Indian Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory on Monday for Indians residing in or planning to travel to the West Asian country following Israel’s warning to the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which has sparked fears of war.
India’s travel advisory urged Indians in Lebanon to stay in contact with the Embassy in Beirut. The advisory was shared on X, where the Indian Embassy stated: “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 was issued after Israel warned that Hezbollah would “pay the price” for a rocket attack on Golan Heights that killed 12 children, for which Tel Aviv blamed the Lebanese group. Hezbollah has “firmly” denied involvement in the strike, the deadliest attack on Israel or Israeli-controlled territory since October 7.
Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah targets deep inside Lebanese territory and along the border overnight Sunday, according to a statement from the Israeli military. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties from these strikes.
During a visit to the town of Majdal Shams near the Syrian and Lebanese borders, where the rocket attack killed children and teenagers on Saturday, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant pledged a heavy response. “Hezbollah is responsible for this, and they will pay the price,” Gallant said, adding in an earlier statement, “We will hit the enemy hard.” The Saturday attacks involved “approximately 30 projectiles” crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with Israel’s military quickly blaming the Iran-backed group for the attack.