Airlines are saying “no thanks” to Israel flights as tensions with Lebanon skyrocket.
What’s Going On?
This kicked off a chain of events that had airlines running for cover.
Cancelled Flights Galore
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines from the U.S. quickly cancelled their Israel flights. United, which usually has 14 weekly flights to Tel Aviv, told customers to sit tight for the next few days. Delta scrapped flights from New York on Wednesday and Thursday. British Airways also hit pause, though it’s unclear for how long.
History of Airspace Drama
This isn’t Israel’s first airspace rodeo. Back in April, Israel shut down its airspace for seven hours after an Iranian drone missile attack.
Shukr’s Assassination
Israel confirmed Shukr’s (63) assassination with an airstrike on a building in southern Beirut. Hezbollah confirmed Shukr’s death on July 31. To add more spice, Hamas announced that Israel also killed Ismail Haniyeh, their political bureau chief, in an airstrike on his Tehran pad. These hits have cranked up fears of a major Israel-Hezbollah showdown.
Gaza’s Ongoing Struggles
Meanwhile, the chaos in Gaza rages on. Since October, Israeli strikes have killed over 39,400 people. So, with the skies over Israel getting quieter, the world watches and waits to see what happens next.