US airlines cancels 'Israel' flights amid escalations: CNN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: CNN
7 Oct 2023 22:30

According to FlightAware, a total of 14% of flights destined for "Tel Aviv" from various global locations have been canceled.

Passengers look at the monitor displaying delayed flights at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, "Israel," Monday, March 27, 2023 (AP Photo/Oren Ziv)

US airlines are altering and canceling flights heading to "Israel's" primary international airport due to ongoing conflict between the IOF and the Palestinian resistance, CNN reported on Saturday.

Data from FlightAware showed that United Airlines Flight 954, which departed from San Francisco International Airport, diverted its route over Greenland approximately seven hours into the more than 13-hour journey. It is scheduled to return to San Francisco later in the day.

Data also indicated that United has also canceled a flight with a similar original schedule for Saturday.

"The safety of our customers and crews is our top priority," the airline said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring the situation and we are adjusting flight schedules as required."

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have scrapped "Israel"-bound flights slated for departure from New York's JFK on both Saturday and Sunday, as reported by FlightAware.

In addition, Lufthansa, a German airline, has significantly reduced its flights to "Tel Aviv" in response to the situation.

"There will still be one flight from "Tel Aviv" to Frankfurt this Saturday. All other Lufthansa flights to and from "Tel Aviv" have been canceled for today's Saturday," the airline said in a statement.

According to FlightAware, a total of 14% of flights destined for "Tel Aviv" from various global locations have been canceled.

Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza: We continue to closely monitor the security situation. Ben Gurion Airport remains open, but the security situation and staff availability could affect flights. Check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. U.S. citizens… pic.twitter.com/niMhyezuRg
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) October 7, 2023

On Saturday morning, the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza launched rocket barrages targeting illegal Israeli settlements, including "Bat Yam" and "Rishon LeZiyyon" south of "Tel Aviv." Sirens were activated in Gaza Envelope settlements and Tel Aviv, with the Iron Dome attempting interception.

Additionally, the Palestinian Resistance reportedly breached the separation barrier, fired at a settler's vehicle, and engaged in gunfire at the Urim junction, causing injuries. There were also reports of a joint attack with gliders attempting to infiltrate the south. In response to the rocket attacks, Israeli forces opened shelters in "Tel Aviv" and "Ashdod."

Mohammad Deif, Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said that the operation comes in response to the Israeli occupation's desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as multiple assaults against women in its yards.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized that "Israel" is "at war", adding that this morning, Hamas initiated "a surprise attack".

Observers say that the operation against "Israel" will be remembered as a major intelligence failure "for the ages" due to unpreparedness of the IOF and the failure to recognize recent incidents involving Hamas as a prelude to war.