Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati presiding over the Beirut airport meeting at the Serail on Oct. 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Cabinet)
“I had to go to Paris so that my children could go to school. But on Tuesday, I received an email saying that my flight got canceled. I don’t know what to do now,” Anna,* a Lebanese mother told L’Orient-Le Jour.Her remarks reflect the major fear that has been haunting the Lebanese since the start of the war on Sept. 23. Could Israel target Beirut airport? This fear is legitimate particularly since it is the country’s only civilian airport and is located in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold that Israel has been shelling on a daily basis. So far, Beirut’s airport has not yet been in Tel Aviv’s crosshairs, mainly due to U.S. pressure. The Lebanese authorities are taking security measures to avoid a worst-case scenario. But “Lebanon has no guarantees in this regard,” said a senior government source. This...
“I had to go to Paris so that my children could go to school. But on Tuesday, I received an email saying that my flight got canceled. I don’t know what to do now,” Anna,* a Lebanese mother told L’Orient-Le Jour.Her remarks reflect the major fear that has been haunting the Lebanese since the start of the war on Sept. 23. Could Israel target Beirut airport? This fear is legitimate particularly since it is the country’s only civilian airport and is located in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold that Israel has been shelling on a daily basis. So far, Beirut’s airport has not yet been in Tel Aviv’s crosshairs, mainly due to U.S. pressure. The Lebanese authorities are taking security measures to avoid a worst-case scenario. But “Lebanon has no guarantees in this regard,” said a senior...
