Air India has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, effective immediately until August 8, 2024, due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The airline cited the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas as the primary reason for the suspension.

In a statement, Air India assured that it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide support to passengers with confirmed bookings, including a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation fees. The airline emphasized that the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority.

The suspension follows the cancellation of a flight from New Delhi to Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. The conflict in the Middle East has resulted in over 35,000 deaths and has impacted several neighboring countries, including Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. The situation intensified following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Iran has attributed to Israel, leading to calls for retaliation from Iranian officials.