Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Indian Embassy in Lebanon has issued three advisories in the past four days, urging Indian nationals to avoid travel to the country.
The heightened alert comes in response to the recent assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut, which have significantly increased the risk of regional conflict.
Western governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, have also advised their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.
The US has moved additional warships and fighter jets to the region, and its embassy in Beirut has urged Americans to leave on any available flights and prepare contingency plans if they choose to stay.
The Department of State has raised its Lebanon Travel Advisory from Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 4: Do Not Travel. We recommend that U.S. citizens enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts. https://t.co/vE02vvquJg pic.twitter.com/7baXCRN5oV
— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) July 31, 2024
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UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued an urgent warning to the UK citizens in Lebanon, advising them to ‘leave now’ as tensions escalate and the situation threatens to deteriorate rapidly.
The Foreign Office emphasized that commercial travel options may soon become unavailable, making it imperative for British nationals to depart immediately.
Meanwhile, the UK has temporarily relocated family members of embassy staff in Beirut, citing the precarious security situation.
Lammy stressed that “the UK is working to enhance its consular presence in Lebanon, but his message to British citizens remains clear: leave the country as soon as possible”.
The safety of British nationals caught up in the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Lebanon is our top priority.
We have temporarily withdrawn the families of officials working at @ukinlebanon.
My message for British nationals is clear, leave now. https://t.co/c7ifMUaDE1
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 4, 2024
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The UK’s Foreign Office, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the Italian government have similarly called for their nationals to depart Lebanon as soon as possible.
Canada has warned its citizens to avoid all travel to Israel, and major airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Swiss Airlines have suspended flights to Israel, Iran, and Lebanon due to the increasing instability.
In Lebanon, political instability further complicates the situation, with the government asserting its right to retaliate against any aggression.
Recent rocket attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel, followed by Israeli airstrikes, have intensified fears of a broader conflict.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Italians temporarily in Lebanon “to avoid traveling to the southern region and to return to Italy as soon as possible via commercial flights due to the deteriorating situation.” He added, “We also advise Italian tourists against traveling to Lebanon.”
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has traveled to Iran to discuss de-escalation measures, while the US continues to deploy military forces to the Middle East, aiming to prevent further conflict through defensive actions.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have caused significant casualties among Palestinians, with thousands killed and wounded.
Updated travel advisory for Indian Nationals. pic.twitter.com/vDTao33LnM
— India in Lebanon (@IndiaInLebanon) August 1, 2024
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The Indian Embassy remained focused on the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Lebanon and provided emergency contact information for those in need of assistance.
(With inputs from agencies)
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