Lebanon flights cancelled

As tensions escalate in the region, thousands of people are flocking to Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport to leave Lebanon, driven by fears of an impending Iranian attack on Israel which could intensify conflict involving Hezbollah. Major airlines, including Air France and Lufthansa, have suspended flights due to rising insurance costs, increasing the pressure on Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines, to accommodate the surge in demand. The U.S. and U.K. governments have issued urgent travel advisories, with the U.K. Foreign Secretary explicitly urging British nationals to leave immediately. Concurrently, there are growing memories of the 2006 conflict, which saw the Israeli bombing of the airport, exacerbating fears among travelers. Personal accounts reveal anxiety and frustration among those facing cancellations and delays, while some embassies, including the U.K., are evacuating staff and families. Rescue organizations in the U.S. are also preparing evacuation plans for American citizens stranded in Lebanon.