The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against all travel to Lebanon. Austrians are asked to leave Lebanon. The travel warning (highest security level 6) was justified by the security situation for foreigners in Lebanon, which is “currently extremely unstable due to the military conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel.” Austrian Airlines (AUA) had previously announced that it would suspend all flights to Israel, Beirut and Lebanon until October 31.
“An escalation of the situation and an expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out,” a spokeswoman warned. Roadblocks and protests are to be expected. More and more airlines are suspending their flights to and from Beirut. Austrians in Lebanon are strongly advised to follow the instructions of the Lebanese authorities, follow the news and report to the embassy in Beirut or register for travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hezbollah: solidarity with Hamas
Since the start of the war between Israel and the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, tensions and mutual shelling have also increased on the Israeli-Lebanese border. There have already been deaths on both sides. Following Hamas’s major attack on Israel on October 7, the influential Lebanese Hezbollah militia immediately declared its “solidarity” with Hamas.
There are international fears that the war will spread to other countries in the region. Germany, the US and Britain asked their citizens to leave Lebanon on Thursday. “A further deterioration of the situation and an expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out,” the Foreign Ministry said in Berlin on Thursday. The Dutch government followed suit on Friday with such an appeal.
After days of tension at the border with Lebanon, the Israeli army announced the evacuation of the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona on Friday. As the military has announced, the approximately 25,000 residents must leave the city and be taken to state-funded accommodation. There were further clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese border on Friday.
According to the Israeli army, three Hezbollah fighters were in the border area on Friday, and the army responded with air strikes. Israeli snipers also fired on gunmen identified in the border area.
At least 20 attacks from Lebanon on Israeli territory were also recorded, including anti-tank missiles. The Israeli army said it responded with artillery. The Shiite militia Hezbollah said it had fired guided missiles into Israeli territory.
AUA and Lufthansa suspend scheduled flights to Israel until October 31. out
Lufthansa and its subsidiaries Swiss, Brussels and Austrian Airlines (AUA) no longer fly to Ben Gurion Airport due to the war in Israel. Connections to Beirut in neighboring Lebanon also remain suspended. Scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut of all Lufthansa Group companies remained suspended for safety reasons until October 31, the company announced in Frankfurt on Friday.
AUA: “I regret having to make this decision“
Lufthansa said it continues to monitor the situation closely and is in close contact with authorities. “Due to the still unclear situation in Israel and after intensive analysis of the situation, Austrian has decided to suspend its regular flights to and from Tel Aviv until Tuesday, October 31,” the AUA website said. It is regretted “that we have to make this decision”.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
