Several countries, including India, Australia, and Canada, have issued urgent travel advisories for Lebanon following the assassination of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike. The escalating tensions have prompted these nations to warn their citizens against traveling to the region.
The Indian Embassy in Beirut has advised Indian nationals in Lebanon to “exercise caution, restrict their movement, and remain in contact with the Embassy.” The advisory highlights the increasing volatility and the need for vigilance.
Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, has taken a more urgent tone, advising all Australians in Beirut to “leave immediately.” Wong warned that the situation could “escalate quickly,” potentially leading to the closure of Beirut’s airport, which would severely limit the government’s ability to assist in evacuations.
Similarly, Canada has urged its citizens to “come back home” if they are currently in Lebanon and has strongly discouraged any travel plans to Beirut. The Canadian government emphasized the growing risks and the importance of safety for its nationals.
The assassination of Fuad Shukr, described by Israel’s military as Hezbollah’s most senior commander and responsible for a deadly attack on July 27 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has significantly heightened tensions. Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah is expected to address the situation during Shukr’s funeral on Thursday.
In response to the assassination, Lebanese ministers and lawmakers, including Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar, visited the site of the Israeli strike in Dahiyeh. Ammar condemned the attack and warned of potential retaliation, asserting, “This enemy (Israel) demands war and we are up for it, God willing, we are up for it.”
Lebanon’s cabinet convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the repercussions of the strike. Information Minister Ziad Makary read a statement condemning the attack and expressing concern over the potential for further escalation. “Lebanon does not want war,” Makary stated, adding that the government would pursue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
