Israel & Hezbollah Fight, Beirut Cancels Flights

Many flights from and to the only international airport in Beirut, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, have been cancelled or delayed as Lebanon’s carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) states “insurance risks”. The stated insurance risks are said to be due to the escalating tensions between Israel and the political group Hezbollah.

No One Wants to Go to Beirut

The situation is similar for many other airlines as everyone scrambles to cancel flights. Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, and Eurowings, too, have cancelled all their flights to Beirut “in an abundance of caution.” Though the flight cancellations are until July 31, the date can be extended if the situation continues. Turkish Airlines has also cancelled two of its flights overnight due to the situation, and many other companies like Ajet, Aegean Airlines, and Ethiopian Air have followed suit.

The Tense Situation

Israel and the Iran-backed political group Hezbollah are facing heightened tensions in the area, and the recent rocket strike, which killed 12 kids in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has sparked debates that the tension can now be blown into a full-fledged war. Israel’s security cabinet has authorised its government to respond to the strike, but Hezbollah has denied any responsibility for the attack. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in a conflict since Israel’s full-fledged war on Gaza started. The conflict has not only ended up affecting Palestine to unprecedented levels but is now spreading to nearby areas.