Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated preparations for an evacuation strategy for Indonesian citizens in Lebanon, given the worsening situation of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has now expanded to Lebanon. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the evacuation strategy for Indonesians in Lebanon has been discussed due to the considerable number of Indonesians in the country, totaling 217 people, antaranews.com reported. "We don't know how the evolving situation will be, but Mr. Judha has started preparing an exit strategy if the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border worsens, impacting Indonesian citizens," said Retno during a media briefing on Wednesday (27/12/2023), referring to the Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection. Retno emphasized that the Indonesian peacekeeping forces in Lebanon are stationed in the country, and there have been no changes in the mandate from the United Nations regarding Indonesian forces in Lebanon. Israel's attack on Lebanon struck homes in the southern part of the country on 21 December, killing an elderly woman and injured her husband, according to Lebanon's official news agency and a security source cited by Reuters. The strike occurred amid Israel's efforts to retaliate against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated since 7 October 2023, after Hezbollah and Israel exchanged fire at the border when the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, launched an unexpected attack on Israel. This attack has ignited a conflict involving other armed groups allied with Iran across the Middle East. According to Reuters records, the death of the elderly woman brings the civilian death toll from Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon in recent weeks to around 20 people, including journalists and children. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have lost more than 100 fighters in the current conflict with Israel. (mg/inp/pr/nm)