Beirut Bombarded by Israeli Forces
On Thursday, Israel intensified its military actions against Hezbollah, targeting their intelligence headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. This marks the continuation of Israeli ground raids into southern Lebanon, a region heavily controlled by Hezbollah. Airstrikes and bombings have ravaged areas across the country, leaving over 1,000 dead, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
As the conflict widens, Israel’s focus has shifted from Gaza to securing its northern border, aiming to protect the return of more than 60,000 displaced citizens.
Tensions Rise Between Iran and Western Powers
In response to the ongoing hostilities, Iran summoned German and Austrian ambassadors following their governments’ criticism of Tehran’s missile attack on Israel. Iran has defended its actions as a “legitimate and responsible” retaliation against Israel’s aggression, particularly after the deaths of key figures like Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh.
International Condemnation
The attack has prompted strong international reactions. France condemned Israel’s decision to declare UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “persona non grata” after he failed to explicitly denounce Iran’s actions. Meanwhile, the European Union has urged caution, with its foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, defending Guterres and calling for a rejection of attacks on the UN leader.
Impact on Global Air Travel
As tensions in the region escalate, Iran temporarily grounded its domestic and international flights due to security concerns, although operations resumed later on Thursday. European carriers have been advised to avoid Iranian airspace until further notice, adding to the ongoing uncertainty.
