Brussels Airlines cancels flights to Tel Aviv until at least 8 August

Due to the heightened tensions in the Middle East, Lufthansa Group, which includes Brussels Airlines, will not operate flights to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv until at least 8 August, Brussels Airlines announced on Thursday.

"Safety and security always have the highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine if and when flights can be restarted," the airline said. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled can rebook their flights or request a refund.

Bombings took place in Lebanon and Iran in recent days, killing both a leader of the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. The attacks have increased fears of further escalation of violence in the Middle East.

_{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}