This comes after senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah stronghold on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital.

The Indian embassy in Beirut has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary travel to Lebanon amid rising tensions in the Middle East following rising tensions between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group. Indian nationals residing in Lebanon were advised to restrict their movements and maintain regular contact with the Embassy of India in Beirut through their designated email or emergency phone number.

Advising against non-essential travel to Lebanon, the embassy said, “Given the recent escalation in the region, Indian citizens are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon.” “All Indian citizens in Lebanon are advised to exercise caution, limit their movements and stay in touch with the Embassy of India in Beirut through their email: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or emergency phone number +96176860128.” added

This comes after senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah stronghold on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital. The strike, which came hours after the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, sparked fears that the war in Gaza could escalate into a region-wide conflict.

The advisory follows a series of similar warnings from other countries, including Australia, the US and Britain. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australian citizens in Lebanon to leave the West Asian nation immediately.

“Now is the time to leave, the security situation can deteriorate quickly with little or no warning,” Wong said in a video message on social media platform X.

The Middle East has been in turmoil for months as Israel's conflict in Gaza has killed thousands and plunged the region into a severe humanitarian crisis. The situation took a darker turn with the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with Iran quickly blaming Israel.

Historically, Iran has carefully navigated its actions to avoid escalating tensions into full-blown war, often using pressure on Israel through its allies and proxy forces. However, Haniyeh's assassination has cast a veil of uncertainty over Iran's next course of action. According to The New York Times, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct response to Israel.