Beirut airport sees a surge of passengers rushing to leave Lebanon as regional tensions escalate amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. France, the United States, and the United Kingdom have warned Lebanese citizens to leave. With claims from Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel, there’s been an increase in departures at Beirut airport. Lebanese citizens may still be at risk given the airport has been a target before.
At a Glance
- Travelers queue at Beirut airport as several countries issue warnings for their citizens to leave Lebanon
- Hezbollah claims to have launched dozens of rockets at Israel, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels strike a ship in the Gulf of Aden
- Airlines cancel or suspend flights to Lebanon due to escalating tensions
- The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr further heightens regional instability
- Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown conflict
Mass Exodus from Beirut Airport
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon’s sole airport, is witnessing a surge of passengers eager to depart the country. This exodus comes in the wake of escalating tensions in the region, fueled by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and recent developments involving Hezbollah. France, the United States, and the United Kingdom have issued urgent warnings to their citizens, advising them to leave Lebanon due to the volatile situation.
The airport, which has been a target in past conflicts, is now experiencing long queues at check-in and security checkpoints. Many travelers are cutting their summer holidays short to secure available flights, as airlines like Lufthansa and Air France have delayed or suspended their services to Lebanon.
People continue to leave Lebanon in droves. Beirut Airport: https://t.co/xbBarS5Pkq pic.twitter.com/ml34gUVMEI
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 4, 2024
Regional Tensions and Their Impact
The rush to leave Lebanon is not without reason. Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militant group and political party, claims to have launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel overnight. This action, coupled with Yemen’s Houthi rebels striking a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden, has significantly heightened fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
“I’m not happy to leave. I wanted to spend the whole summer in Lebanon then go back to work in France,’’ said Joelle Sfeir from the crowded departures hall at Beirut airport. “But my flight was canceled and I was forced to book another ticket today,” she told AFP.
The assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr has further inflamed the situation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim Israel killed Haniyeh with a “short-range projectile” in Tehran, contradicting earlier reports of a bomb attack. Haniyeh was subsequently buried in Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar.
Impact on Travel and Tourism
The conflict has had a significant impact on travel plans and the tourism industry in Lebanon. Travel agencies report high demand for flights out of the country, with many cancellations for holiday reservations. Lebanese citizens working or studying abroad have seen their travel plans disrupted, with some struggling to find available flights.
France did so Sunday, warning of “a highly volatile” situation, while the US embassy in Lebanon a day earlier urged its citizens to leave on “any ticket available.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, some Lebanese travelers remain undeterred. The conflict has had a minimal impact on the summer tourist season in Lebanon, with Beirut airport seeing only a slight decrease in arrivals and an increase in departures in June compared to the previous year.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Outlook
As tensions continue to rise, diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown conflict. Lebanon is anticipating a retaliatory strike from Israel after a missile hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams, killing 12 children and adolescents. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for this attack, despite Israel’s accusations.
A Western diplomat suggested that Israel’s retaliation would be symbolic and not lead to a generalized conflict. However, the situation remains precarious, with clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border resulting in numerous casualties on both sides, including civilians and military personnel.
As the world watches and waits, the surge of passengers at Beirut airport serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of regional instability and the ongoing threat of wider conflict in the Middle East.
