Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Lufthansa and Air France have suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut, citing escalating tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. The cancellations come as violence intensifies in the region, with growing concerns over security.
Air France announced the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut for Sunday and Monday, with the possibility of extending the halt depending on the situation. Lufthansa, the German airline, has taken similar precautions, extending its suspension of flights to Beirut until the end of September. Additionally, the airline has paused its flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran until September 2.
These flight suspensions follow a surge in conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Reports indicate that approximately 100 Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes targeting rocket launchers across southern Lebanon, aiming to prevent an imminent Hezbollah attack. In response, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching hundreds of rockets and drones at military bases and missile defense systems in northern Israel and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
Hezbollah’s actions were reportedly in retaliation for the killing of Fouad Shukur, a founding member and top commander of the group, during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last month. The group described their initial retaliation as the completion of a first stage, which could lead to further assaults deeper into Israel. Hezbollah also refuted Israel’s claims of thwarting their attack, asserting that their military operations on Sunday had concluded.
Air France, which typically operates daily flights to both Tel Aviv and Beirut, had previously suspended services to Beirut from July 29 to August 15 but continued operations to Tel Aviv during that period. The airline has yet to confirm whether its budget subsidiary, Transavia, will also suspend flights to these destinations.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, these precautionary measures by Air France and Lufthansa underscore the growing concern for passenger safety in the affected areas.
