Potential Expansion of Crisis in the Middle East; KLM Cancels Flights to and from Tel Aviv for About Three Months

KLM, the Dutch branch of the Air France-KLM group, announced that it has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 27, 2024. This decision comes amid rising tensions and concerns about potential conflict in the region. The unprecedented increase in tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy groups, especially Hezbollah in Lebanon, on one side, and Israel on the other, has forced many airlines to change or cancel their flights to the area. In addition to KLM, other airlines such as Delta, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air India have also canceled their flights to Israel. Furthermore, EVA Air and China Airlines have refrained from passing through Iranian airspace. Senior officials of the Islamic Republic, including Ali Khamenei, the leader, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have warned that the killings of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, and Foad Shukr, the highest military commander of Hezbollah and right-hand man to Hassan Nasrallah, will not go unanswered. Meanwhile, Axios reported, citing three U.S. officials, that the Biden administration believes the Islamic Republic intends to attack Israel in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Axios reported that the Islamic Republic's retaliation is expected to be similar to the April 14 attack on Israel but may occur on a larger scale and involve Hezbollah. Concurrently, an Israeli government spokesperson stated on Thursday, July 31, that Israel is prepared for any retaliation from the Islamic Republic and its allies regarding the killings of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders and will respond 'severely' to any attack.