CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - Israel is continuing its efforts to thwart Hezbollah's plan to kidnap Israelis working or traveling abroad.

Defense officials warned that the Lebanese-based terror organization is stepping up its efforts worldwide to avenge the February assassination of its second-in-command, Imad Mughniyeh, killed by a car bomb in Damascus.

Former Israel Defense Forces( IDF) officers and other security agencies, who now work in security-related businesses, have been admonished to avoid traveling to Muslim countries.

On Tuesday, the Kuwaiti daily al Jarida, reported that Israel warned seven businessmen in one Muslim country to leave immediately.

"There are many former [IDF] officials working overseas, selling weaponry and training militaries," one senior defense official said.

"These people are prime targets for Hezbollah," he said.

The terror group has not only threatened kidnappings, but warned of attacks on embassies, consulates and Jewish institutions abroad.

Sources: Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post