Beirut Airport Under Israeli Surveillance

Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport is now effectively under Israeli surveillance, following serious threats from Israel to target the airport if Iranian aircraft land there.

The situation escalated as Lebanese Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh acknowledged that the Israeli army had intervened on the airport's control tower frequency, warning against the landing of a civilian Iranian aircraft and threatening to use force if necessary.

The Israeli government has previously warned that it would not allow the transfer of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah through Beirut Airport.

Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Avichai Adraee stated that they are aware of attempts to transport arms to Hezbollah and are actively working to thwart such efforts.

He confirmed that Israeli Air Force flights are monitoring the area around Beirut International Airport and praised the Lebanese government for acting responsibly by not permitting arms transfers via the airport, in contrast to the Syrian government's approach.

Adraee stressed that hostile flights carrying weapons would not be allowed to land at Beirut Airport, which is designated as a civilian airport that must be preserved as such. Similar statements were echoed by another Israeli army spokesperson, Daniel Hagari.

In response, Lebanese Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh denied Israeli claims that Beirut Airport was being used to deliver arms to Hezbollah.

In a televised interview, he reaffirmed that the airport operates strictly as a civilian facility, with all military aircraft operations subject to Lebanese army approval.

Airport director Fadi Hassan informed the media that only Middle East Airlines, the Lebanese carrier, is currently operational at the airport.

This comes after Iraqi Airways, Ur Airlines, and an Iranian airline were also functioning prior to a significant air campaign targeting Hezbollah's command center in southern Beirut.

Sami Nader, director of the Middle East Institute for Strategic Affairs, highlighted that Israel prioritizes preventing supplies from reaching Hezbollah, especially from Iran.

He noted that Israel is concerned about the potential arrival of sophisticated weapons and logistical support.

Nader emphasized that Israel expects a significant Iranian response, especially given that strikes against Hezbollah are perceived as strikes against Iran's regional ambitions.