India Recommends Citizens Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Lebanon

The Indian Embassy in Lebanon has recommended Indians refrain from making any unnecessary trips to Lebanon due to the rising tensions in the area. They’ve been told to be cautious, limit their travel, and stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Beirut.

The Indian Embassy in Lebanon took to X and said, “Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon in light of the recent escalation in the region.” It is recommended that Indian people residing in Lebanon exercise caution, limit their travel, and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Beirut via email at cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or by calling the emergency number, 96176860128.”

Tensions have heightened following a rocket attack on the Golan Heights, reportedly launched by Hezbollah and resulting in the deaths of 12 children. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).

The “most senior Hezbollah military commander,” Fuad Shukr, was slain in the Israeli operation, according to a statement from the IDF. Shukr was regarded as the leader of Hezbollah’s strategic division and a member of the Jihad Council, the organization’s highest military council.

Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, he has been overseeing Hezbollah’s operations against Israel, including the recent deadly strike in Majdal Shams that resulted in the deaths of 12 children, according to the military. The IDF reports that Shukr was “responsible for most of Hezbollah’s advanced weaponry, such as precision-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs,” and was involved in the terror group’s “force build-up, planning, and execution of attacks against Israel,” as reported by The Times of Israel.

The IDF said on X that Fuad Shukr “Sayyid Muhsan,” the most senior military commander of Hezbollah and the right-hand man of Hassan Nasrallah, had been eliminated.

“Shukr has been in charge of Hezbollah’s assaults against the State of Israel since October 8th. He was the commander in charge of Saturday night’s massacre of the 12 children in Majdal Shams, northern Israel, as well as the years-long murder of many Israelis and foreigners. The bulk of Hezbollah’s cutting-edge arsenal, which included long-range rockets, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, precise-guided missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), was also created by him, the statement continued.

According to CNN, the Houthis and Hamas have each issued separate statements denouncing the Israeli strike.

“While we show our support for Lebanon and its resistance against Zionist aggression, we acknowledge Hezbollah’s important contribution to assisting the Palestinian people and battling their oppression. This is especially significant as Arab regimes have failed to fulfill their duty to defend the Palestinians and confront the injustices they face,” stated the Houthi political wing, also known as Ansar Allah.

Hamas expressed its “complete solidarity with our brotherly Lebanon and the brothers in Hezbollah” in a different statement.

Additionally, Hamas declared that it views the Israeli assault as a “dangerous escalation.” Hezbollah was held accountable by Israel for the missile strike in the Golan Heights on Sunday. Hezbollah has, however, denied being behind the attack.