Heightened Tensions in Israel Amidst Uncertainty
As Israel began a new workweek on Sunday, the atmosphere was charged with anxiety and uncertainty. The looming threat of potential attacks from Iran and its affiliated militant groups has already begun to disrupt the lives of many Israelis.
In light of escalating tensions, several international airlines have temporarily suspended their flights to and from Israel. This precautionary measure comes in anticipation of possible retaliation against the country by Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. An Israeli official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, reported that this suspension has left tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad.
Airlines such as Delta, United, the Lufthansa group, and Aegean Airlines have halted their services to Israel following the assassination of a prominent Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in a strike in Beirut on Tuesday. The situation worsened with the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday. Many fear that these violent acts could trigger a broader regional conflict.
In response to the crisis, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively encouraging citizens who are currently traveling abroad to complete an online survey. This initiative aims to assist the government in tracking their locations and devising solutions to facilitate their return, which may include arranging alternative commercial flights. A significant number of these individuals are believed to be stranded in Europe and the United States.
Meanwhile, Israel’s national airline, El Al, along with its subsidiaries, is working diligently to increase the number of flights available to bring stranded Israelis back home. However, their efforts are constrained by existing capacity limitations. During the peak summer season, the airlines were already operating at full capacity, making it challenging to accommodate the sudden influx of travelers seeking to return.
Many Israelis currently abroad had embarked on what they believed would be brief vacations and are now anxious to reunite with their families, resume their jobs, and return to their daily lives in Israel, despite the looming threats. Officials have been advising stranded citizens to make their way to nearby hubs such as Athens and Cyprus, which are just a short flight away, in hopes of finding alternative routes back home.
