The Embassy of India in Beirut has issued its third advisory in 48 hours, strongly urging Indian nationals to leave Lebanon immediately. Those who must remain are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and maintain contact with the embassy through their email or emergency phone number.
Tensions have dramatically escalated following a rocket attack on the Golan Heights, allegedly carried out by Hezbollah, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 children. In swift retaliation, Israel Defense Forces conducted a strike in southern Lebanon, killing Fouad Shukr, a high-ranking Hezbollah commander.
Shukr, known for his role in expanding Hezbollah’s missile capabilities and operations in Syria, is the most senior figure in the organization to be assassinated since Imad Mughniyeh in 2008.
Israel has blamed the Golan Heights attack on Hezbollah, but the Lebanese armed group has denied responsibility. Israel has warned that the group will pay a “heavy price.”
The conflict has been ongoing since October 8, when Israel and Hezbollah started exchanging missile fire in the context of the war on Gaza.
The diplomatic arena has also seen increased activity, with both Israel and Lebanon lodging complaints against each other at the UN Security Council, further straining relations between the two nations.
In response to the growing tensions, the United States is scrambling forces to prepare for a potential escalation. A U.S. Pentagon official told the media that at least 12 American warships are now concentrated in the eastern Mediterranean and the Arab Gulf.
This military buildup comes as Israel braces for potential retaliation from Iran and its proxies after two assassinations in Beirut and Tehran.
Simultaneously, the U.S. is launching a diplomatic offensive aimed at preventing a regional conflict and returning Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table regarding a hostage release and ceasefire deal.
Adding to the complex situation, Iran has raised a red flag over the Jam Karan mosque in Qom, symbolizing revenge. This action follows the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and echoes similar responses to past attacks on Iranian interests, such as the assassination of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020 and the Kerman cemetery bombings in 2024.
Meanwhile, fear grips the Lebanese capital as residents of Beirut are increasingly anxious about the possibility of a widespread conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon finds itself caught in the middle of a conflict it hopes will not escalate into a full-blown war.
By – Vinod Kumar (Dubai)