Air India Suspends Tel Aviv Flights Amid Crisis

Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv effective immediately until August 8 due to the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to passengers with confirmed bookings during this period, offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges,” the airline stated.

Israel targeted Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, aiming at the militant commander responsible for a rocket strike that killed 12 youths on a soccer field. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed severe retaliation against Hezbollah for a rocket attack in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights on Saturday, although Hezbollah has denied involvement.

In Israel, tensions remain high as soldiers are set to appear before a military court on Tuesday over allegations of sexual abuse of a Palestinian detainee from Gaza. Hard-line nationalists in Netanyahu’s government and others have protested. An Associated Press investigation revealed dire conditions at Sde Teiman, where most Gaza detainees are held. Israeli authorities generally deny abuses in Palestinian detention facilities.

Further destruction and bodies were found in Khan Younis, Gaza, following the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 39,300 deaths since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Disease is rampant in overcrowded tent camps housing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, where the sanitation system has collapsed, leading to pools of sewage.