United and Delta Airlines announced on Wednesday that they are suspending flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, due to rising regional tensions.
The service interruptions come after Israel's apparent assassination of top Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran.
Israel has not directly claimed credit for the strike, but Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already ordered a direct strike on Israel in retaliation.
Hezbollah also confirmed on Wednesday that Israel killed one of their top commanders, Fouad Shukur, in a strike on Beirut, Lebanon. US Airlines are now canceling flights to Israel due to "unrest in the Middle East." I just got my United flight canceled. I was due to fly this Saturday.
— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) July 31, 2024
A spokesperson for United Airlines told The Hill that service is suspended indefinitely due to "security concerns."
“We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews,” the spokesperson said.
Delta has suspended service through Friday, August 2, “due to ongoing conflict in the region.”
The airline announced on its website, "A travel waiver has been issued for all customers who booked travel to/from Tel Aviv before Aug. 14, 2024."
"Delta flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv will be paused through Friday, Aug. 2, due to ongoing conflict in the region.," the website states. "Sales of flights for DL234 on Jul. 31 and Aug. 1, and DL235 on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. are suspended. Customers impacted by the schedule change will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation."
Israel’s main airline, EL AL, has said that it is operating as normal.
"EL AL operates in accordance with the security and aviation authorities and their instructions and is in constant contact with them. Currently, our flight schedule is operating as normal," EL AL's website states. "Ongoing updates will be available on this page and on social media channels."
The State Department has also issued a "Do Not Travel" warning for "Northern Israel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders due to the rising tensions between Hizballah and Israel."
It also issued a notice to "reconsider travel" to "Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest" and "West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest."
