At Beirut airport, passengers have been waiting for hours to leave Lebanon, showing clear concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“I didn’t plan to leave. I wanted to spend the entire summer in Lebanon and then return to France for work,” said Joelle Sfeir, who is waiting in the overcrowded departure hall. But “my flight was canceled, and I had to book another ticket for today,” the young Lebanese woman said. Like many of her compatriots who work or study abroad, Sfeir took advantage of the summer holidays to visit relatives and friends who remain in the country. However, after the assassination last Wednesday of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the Israeli strike on Beirut the day before, which killed Hezbollah military leader Fuad Sokar, many airlines, such as Lufthansa and Air France, have suspended their flights to and from Beirut.
At the same time, following threats of retaliation against Israel, many countries (Sweden, USA, UK, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
Moreover, memories of the previous war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 are still fresh. That summer, the Beirut airport was bombed.
In the departure hall, entire families with children in their parents’ arms watch their stacks of luggage and the flight schedule board – most flights are headed to Istanbul, Amman, and Cairo.
“I was in Syria, but the situation became a bit difficult, and my flight, which was scheduled for tomorrow, was canceled. So, I’m trying to leave today,” explained passenger Munder Raya.
Greta Mukarzel, the manager of a travel agency near Beirut, said she has received a “flood of calls” from clients wanting to leave and fearing they will be stranded in Lebanon. However, it is difficult to find seats because many flights have been canceled and due to the increased demand, especially to European countries, she explained. “And many Lebanese who were coming for vacation canceled their bookings,” she added.
Near the arrival zone, which is usually full of people during this time, very few are waiting to greet their loved ones.
On the road to the airport, passing through the southern suburbs of Beirut – a stronghold area for Hezbollah – a huge banner with pictures of Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Sokar warns: “We will take revenge.”
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