Middle East Conflict: Amidst growing tensions between Israel and Iran, Air India has halted flights to and from Tel Aviv, the carrier said on Friday.
The airline, controlled by the Tata Group, had halted operations from the nation’s capital to Tel Aviv until August 8.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Air India wrote: “Given the current situation in parts of the Middle East, scheduled operations of our flights to and from Tel Aviv have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.”
The airline said it is “constantly monitoring” the situation and is offering full refunds to passengers with confirmed bookings to and from Tel Aviv.
Air India has also issued helpline numbers for its 24/7 contact centre: 011-69329333 / 011-69329999.”
Due to Middle East tensions, Air India had already this year temporarily halted flights to Tel Aviv at various points.
On March 3, the airline started operating in the Israeli city again after almost five months.
Following the Hamas group’s attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on October 7, 2023, Air India ceased operating flights to and from the city.
The Israeli army has ordered another major evacuation from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and Palestinians are evacuating huge parts of the area in fear.
The second-largest city in Gaza, Khan Younis, was largely destroyed earlier this year amid air and ground assaults. Assistance in the area Due to Israeli sanctions and continued fighting, the Gaza Strip is experiencing a grave humanitarian crisis with limited access to clean water, medical supplies, and food.
Over 40,000 people have died in Gaza in the ten months since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, according to the health ministry there.
Since Ismail Haniyeh, the senior head of Hamas was murdered on July 31 in what is believed to have been an Israeli attack in Iran, tensions in the region have risen. One anticipates reprisals.
International leaders have been pushing for Gaza to go into a ceasefire. Israel announced late on Thursday that it would send negotiators to hold indirect discussions with Hamas in response to a proposal by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to pick up the stalled ceasefire negotiations on August 15.
(With agency inputs)