Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. PM Modi expressed his concerns about the escalating tensions in West Asia, emphasising that "terrorism has no place in our world."

In a post on X, PM Modi underscored the importance of preventing "regional escalation and ensuring the safe release of all hostages," reiterating India's commitment to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability.

PM Modi's telephonic conversation with Netanyahu comes amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Israel has been continuously carrying out airstrikes against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, having already eliminated several of its top ranking officials, including the group's chief, Hassan Nasrallah.

Meanwhile, Israel is planning a limited ground operation in Lebanon that is expected to begin immediately, the Jewish nation has informed the US, the Washington Post reported, while citing US officials.

Israel’s planned campaign is expected to be more limited in scope compared to the 2006 Lebanon War, which was a 34-day conflict triggered by a Hezbollah cross-border raid on July 12, 2006. In the 2006 war, Hezbollah fighters attacked an Israeli convoy, killing three IDF soldiers and capturing two, prompting a significant Israeli military response that included extensive air, sea, and land operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

This time, the focus will be on clearing out militant infrastructure along the border to mitigate the threat to Israeli border communities, the Washington Post reported. On Monday, Israeli forces conducted limited raids in Lebanon, according to an Israeli official familiar with the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.

Source: India Today