As Israel prepared to step up strikes on Lebanon, most countries have started pulling out their civilians to safety.

India, 12,000 of whose civilians live in Lebanon, promptly directed four of its warships to aid in quick evacuation.

INS Mumbai reached Beirut at around 1200 IST to evacuate the first batch of Indian civilians.

Image: Indian marine keeps watch before Indian citizens board INS Mumbai.

Photograph:  Haitham Mussawi/AFP/Getty Images