India advises its citizens to leave Lebanon

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – India on Thursday advised its nationals to leave Lebanon, according to an updated travel advisory.

The Indian nationals were also advised against traveling to Lebanon until further notice “in view of recent development and potential threats in the region.”

“Those who remain (in Lebanon) for any reason are advised to exercise maximum caution, restrict their movement and remain in touch with Embassy of India,” said the advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Beirut.

The advisory came as Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened on Wednesday to invade Lebanon and carry out further assassinations in Beirut following an Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Tel Aviv blamed Shukr for Saturday’s missile attack that killed 12 people in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in Israel-occupied Golan Heights although Hezbollah has denied any responsibility.

At least five people, including two children, were killed in the Israeli airstrike, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Fears have grown of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed nearly 39,500 people since last October, following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.