Passenger flights disrupted at Beirut airport amidst concerns of regional war
Crowds of passengers were seen queueing at Beirut airport’s departure terminal on Saturday as airlines from the US, Europe, and Asia suspended flights to Israel and Lebanon due to security concerns. Concerns of a full-fledged regional war have prompted the cancellations, following recent developments in the Middle East. The high summer season has also contributed to the crowds in the airport terminal, as international flights to the region have been affected.
The disruptions come after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut. These events have escalated tensions in the region, with Israel accusing Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack, which Hezbollah has denied. The recent deaths of children and teenagers in Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed region of the Golan Heights, have added to the already heightened tensions.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in daily exchanges of fire, leading to casualties and the evacuation of thousands from their homes. The situation has raised fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the region. The disruptions at Beirut airport due to the flight cancellations reflect the uncertainty and instability currently gripping the Middle East.
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