'Exercise Caution': Govt Warns Indians In Lebanon Amid Anticipated Israeli Response Against Hezbollah

The Indian Embassy in Beirut has issued an advisory urging all Indian nationals in Lebanon and those planning to travel there to exercise caution amid escalating tensions in West Asia in the wake of the Gaza war.

This comes as Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to decide on the “manner and timing” of a response to a rocket strike in the Golan Heights that killed 12 teenagers and children, and which Israel blamed on Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

“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 the Embassy of India in Beirut through their email id: [email protected] or the emergency phone number +96176860128,” Indian Embassy of Beirut said in an advisory.

On Saturday, Hezbollah denied responsibility for the deadliest attack in Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since Palestinian militant group Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault sparked the war in Gaza. That war has spread to several fronts and risks spilling into a wider regional conflict. Israel has promised retaliation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Israeli jets hit targets in southern Lebanon on Sunday.

However, there were expectations a stronger response could follow the security cabinet meeting convened by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. After the meeting ended, Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet “authorised the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister to decide on the manner and timing of the response.”

Earlier on Sunday, the White House also blamed Hezbollah for the Majdal Shams strike. “This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control,” it said in a statement. US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said through her national security adviser that her “support for Israel’s security is ironclad.”

The US said Washington has been in discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts since Saturday’s “horrific” attack and that it was working on a diplomatic solution. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington did not want further escalation of the conflict, which has seen daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah along the border.

(With agency inputs)