India has once again urged its citizens to leave Lebanon following reports that Israel is mobilizing troops for a potential invasion of the country.
In an updated advisory issued on Wednesday, the Indian embassy in Beirut strongly recommended that Indian nationals refrain from traveling to Lebanon “in light of recent developments and escalations in the region.”
“All Indian nationals currently in Lebanon are also strongly advised to exit the country. Those who remain for any reason should exercise extreme caution, limit their movements, and stay in touch with the Embassy of India in Beirut via email at cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128,” the advisory stated.
This updated advisory comes as Israel continues its assaults on Lebanon, resulting in over 620 deaths and thousands of injuries. Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, has informed troops that airstrikes will persist to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure and prepare for a potential ground offensive.
According to the Indian embassy in Beirut, there are nearly 4,000 Indian nationals in Lebanon, most of whom work in companies, the construction sector, and agricultural farms.
Indian Army personnel have been deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since November 1998. On August 1, the Indian embassy issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Lebanon due to “potential threats in the region,” which arose from heightened tensions following the killings of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.
