Qatar Airways announced Tuesday that it has suspended flights to and from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport until Wednesday, September 25, citing escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
The decision comes in response to the deadliest cross-border clashes in nearly a year, as Israeli air strikes in Lebanon have claimed at least 492 lives, including 35 children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
In a statement, Qatar Airways emphasized that "the safety of our passengers remains our highest priority," as it halted operations temporarily due to the worsening security situation in Lebanon.
The latest round of violence between Israel and Hezbollah started in October last year, with the Lebanese militant group backing Gaza, which has been under heavy Israeli assault. The conflict has caused heightened instability across the region, leading several airlines to halt operations.
Last week, Qatar Airways also banned pagers and walkie-talkies on Beirut-bound flights following a series of explosions caused by communication devices, reportedly linked to Israeli attacks, that killed 37 people and wounded thousands.
Other major airlines, including Germany’s Lufthansa, Air France, and U.S.-based Delta Air Lines, have also suspended their services to Beirut in recent days, with some flights to Iran being affected as well.
The situation remains fluid, with regional airlines closely monitoring developments.
