In light of the rising tensions brought on by the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah officials, India on Thursday advised its people not to visit Lebanon and cautioned those who were already there.
The embassy released an emergency phone number and email ID for the Indian citizens in Lebanon and told them to remain in touch with the embassy.#lebonan #India #news https://t.co/Z6qkxZTNe1
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 29, 2024
Indian Embassy’s Advisory for Citizens
Since July 29, the Indian embassy in Beirut has released two advisories. In Lebanon, there are about 4,000 Indian citizens. The recommendation read, “Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Lebanon given the recent escalation in the region,” but it made no mention of the Israeli airstrikes that killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The alert stated: “All Indian nationals residing in Lebanon are recommended to exercise caution, limit their travel, and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Beirut via their email address, cons.beirut@mea.gov.in, or the emergency phone number, +96176860128.” The majority of Indian nationals residing in Lebanon work as employees in businesses, the building industry, and on farms.
UNIFIL Presence and Indian Contingent
Since November 1998, the Indian Army has also maintained a battalion stationed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). There are 900 people in the peacekeeping contingent at the moment. This is the first time that the Indian battalion is commanding Kazakh troops as well.
Early on Wednesday morning, an airborne projectile struck the building where Haniyeh was residing in Tehran, killing him and his bodyguard. He was in Iran for the new government’s inauguration. Masoud Pezeshkian, President. Leaders in Iran and Hamas both accused Israel of carrying out the airstrike that killed him.
Concerns Over Regional Escalation
Tuesday’s Israeli airstrike in Beirut claimed Shukr’s life. Concerns have been raised by Israel’s activities on the potential for the conflict in Gaza to worsen and involve further nations in the region.