Sunday, August 4, 2024
reading time: 3 minutes
The recent assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has dramatically escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran and its proxies have vowed to retaliate against Israel, prompting heightened security concerns and swift responses from airlines and military forces around the world.
The Big Picture
American response: The US Department of Defense has deployed additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East to deter Iranian-backed militias from escalating attacks on Israel.
Flight suspension: Major airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines have suspended flights to Israel and Lebanon due to security concerns.
- United Airlines and Delta have suspended flights to Israel until August 6.
- Swiss International Air Lines has extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until August 8 and August 12, respectively.
- Lufthansa has suspended flights to both cities until mid-August.
- Air France has cancelled flights to Beirut until August 6, with similar suspensions by Air India, ITA Airways and others.
- KLM has cancelled all flights to and from Israel until October 26.
Countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Sweden have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon due to the escalating conflict.
State of play
Hezbollah missiles: Hezbollah fired about 50 rockets from Lebanon into Israel’s Upper Galilee region. Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome. Hezbollah claimed the attack was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that killed civilians in two villages in southern Lebanon.
- The attack targeted the settlement of “Beit Hillel” for the first time, without resulting in any injuries.
- Israel responded with air strikes and artillery shelling on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, including the town of Marjayoun.
Injuries in Lebanon: An Israeli air strike on an area in southern Lebanon killed a 17-year-old girl and wounded six civilians, some seriously. The attack took place in the village of Deir Siryan, near the Israeli border.
background
Assassinations fuel tensions: The assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have escalated the conflict. Both Israel and Hezbollah have vowed to respond, and Iran has threatened to strike Israel.
Israeli air strikes: Continuing Israeli air strikes killed five people in southern Beirut, including Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr, and wounded several others.
Wider impact: The conflict has spread to other areas, with Israeli strikes on the Golan Heights killing 12 people and wounding 35. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, fearing a wider regional war.
Zoom in
The United States and its allies are on alert: The United States has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon and is coordinating with its allies to monitor the situation. The Biden administration is closely monitoring Iran’s actions and the potential for further escalation.
Diplomatic reactions: Countries such as Sweden have moved their embassy staff from Beirut to Cyprus, and are advising their nationals to leave Lebanon immediately.
Global Airlines React to Escalating Tensions in the Middle East
The recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran has led to a major flight suspension due to heightened security concerns. United Airlines has suspended flights from Newark to Tel Aviv, effective Wednesday. Delta Air Lines has suspended flights from New York to Tel Aviv, offering travel waivers until August 14. Air India has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 8.
Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to Beirut until August 5 and to Tel Aviv until August 8. Alitalia has also suspended flights to Tel Aviv for the safety of passengers. Air Canada has postponed flights to Tel Aviv until mid-October, with Montreal flights postponed until summer 2025.
Other airlines have also adjusted their operations. Singapore Airlines, EVA Air and China Airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace. Turkish Airlines has postponed flights to Iranian cities, while flydubai has cancelled some flights. Aegean Airlines has suspended operations to Tel Aviv and Beirut. KLM has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv until Oct. 26, and Air Belgium has suspended operations to Tel Aviv until at least Aug. 8.
