As Israeli strikes continue to devastate Lebanon, concerns are growing over the safety of the country’s only airport, a critical lifeline for aid and travel that is located precariously close to Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold.
Since Israel intensified its air campaign against Hezbollah last month, Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport has received a flurry of aid shipments from various countries, including France and Qatar. The airport has also served as a major evacuation hub for foreign nationals and Lebanese citizens fleeing Israel’s deadly campaign, despite most airlines suspending services over security concerns as strikes land nearby.
The airport’s proximity to Hezbollah’s stronghold has raised fears of a repeat of the 2006 war, when Israel targeted the facility, prompting a halt in international aid and travel. UN and Arab officials have called for the protection of the facility, warning that an attack would disrupt the critical flow of international assistance.
“It’s the only passage for humanitarian aid,” said Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah Al-Khater, who flew into Beirut on Tuesday as black plumes billowed into the skyline. “It should be safeguarded as an absolute necessity.”
Al-Khater’s comments came a day after the United States, Israel’s closest ally, warned Israel not to bomb the facility or roads leading to it. The US warning was seen as a rare rebuke of Israel’s military actions, and a recognition of the critical role that Beirut’s airport plays in the humanitarian response to the crisis.
The airport has been a lifeline for Lebanon, which is facing a severe economic crisis and a growing humanitarian emergency. The facility has received aid shipments from around the world, including food, medicine, and shelter materials. It has also served as a hub for evacuations, with thousands of foreign nationals and Lebanese citizens fleeing the country to escape the violence.
Despite the risks, the airport remains operational, with flights arriving and departing throughout the day. However, the situation is precarious, and the threat of an Israeli strike is ever-present.
“We are doing everything we can to keep the airport safe, but it’s a challenging situation,” said a Lebanese aviation official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We are working closely with international partners to ensure that aid and travel can continue, but we need the international community to take action to protect the airport and prevent an Israeli strike.”
The international community has responded to the crisis with a flurry of aid shipments and diplomatic efforts. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, while the Arab League has condemned Israel’s actions and called for an end to the violence.
However, the situation on the ground remains dire, with Israeli strikes continuing to pound Lebanon and Hezbollah retaliating with rocket fire. The conflict has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands, with the humanitarian situation deteriorating by the day.
In this context, the protection of Beirut’s airport is critical. The facility is not only a lifeline for aid and travel, but also a symbol of Lebanon’s resilience and determination. As the international community continues to respond to the crisis, it is imperative that the airport is safeguarded and protected from Israeli strikes.
“The airport is a critical piece of infrastructure that is essential for the humanitarian response,” said a UN official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We are working closely with the Lebanese authorities and international partners to ensure that the airport remains safe and operational, but we need the international community to take action to prevent an Israeli strike.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community must take action to protect Beirut’s airport and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The airport is a critical lifeline for aid and travel, and its destruction would have devastating consequences for the people of Lebanon.
The Palestinian people, who have faced decades of occupation and displacement, understand the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the safe passage of aid and travel. We stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and call on the international community to take action to protect Beirut’s airport and prevent an Israeli strike.
The protection of Beirut’s airport is not only a moral imperative, but also a critical component of the humanitarian response to the crisis. The international community must take action to safeguard the facility and ensure that aid and travel can continue to reach those in need.
As the situation continues to unfold, we will continue to provide updates and analysis on the crisis in Lebanon. We urge the international community to take action to protect Beirut’s airport and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The people of Lebanon deserve our support and solidarity in this difficult time.
