Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, stressing the need to avoid regional escalation two days after the Hezbollah confirmed that its secretary general Hassan Nasrallah had been killed in an Israeli bombing in Beirut.

“Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,’’ Modi posted on X during a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister.

This is the first time India has commented on Israel’s bombing in Lebanon. Modi made no mention of the root cause of the West Asia crisis — the Palestine question — in his post though India’s official position continues to favour a two-state solution while simultaneously getting closer to Tel Aviv.

India has already advised its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country. While Nasrallah’s killing has made the situation even more dire, Lebanon has been in the crossfire since the Hamas attack on October 7 after Hezbollah began firing rockets into the border areas of northern Israel and Golan Heights in solidarity with Hamas.

Air France flights

Air France is suspending flights between Paris and Tel Aviv, and between Paris and Beirut, until October 8 due to concerns over the regional security situation.

Additional inputs from Reuters