Air India cancels flights to and from Israel's Tel Aviv till August 8. Here's why

Air India suspends Tel Aviv flights amid Israel-Hamas war escalation. International airlines reroute flights over West Asia.

Updated on: Aug 2, 2024, 13:53:23 IST

By HT News Desk, hindustantimes.com

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Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv effective immediately until August 8 amid escalation of Israel-Hamas conflict. “We are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to passengers with confirmed bookings during this period, offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges,” Air India said in a statement.

Air India suspends flights to Israel's Tel Aviv until August 8 due to Middle East crisis

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated due to the Israel-Hamas war, particularly after fears of retaliation from Iran following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

ALSO READ- Hezbollah leader says war with Israel has entered ‘new phase’ after deaths of its top leaders

Airlines are avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and cancelling flights to Israel and Lebanon due to escalating tensions in the region.

Singapore Airlines, Taiwan's EVA Air, and China Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Iran, according to Flightradar24 data. OPSGROUP advised avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace following the killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah members.

Read view: West Asia on the brink, West needs to step in

On Tuesday evening, an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr and leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel also confirmed on Thursday that Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened "harsh punishment" for his killing.

Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel on Thursday. Hezbollah said it launched dozens of Katyusha rockets “in response to the Israeli enemy's attack on the southern village of Shama that killed a number of civilians.”

ALSO READ- Hezbollah fires ‘dozens' of rockets into Israel to 'revenge' death of top commander; IDF responds

"Israel is at a very high level of preparation for any scenario, both defensive and offensive," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

“Those who attack us, we will attack in return.”

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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