BERLIN: Lufthansa announced on Monday that it is extending the suspension of flights to the Middle East crisis region due to security concerns. A statement from the German flag carrier said all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Iran's capital Tehran, Beirut, Erbil in northern Iraq, and Jordan's capital Amman will remain suspended until Aug. 26, due to heightened tensions. Lufthansa will not use Iraqi and Iranian airspace during this period, the statement said. The decision comes as diplomatic efforts of US, Qatar, and Egypt continue to persuade Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire in Gaza, with the hope that this could also de-escalate the tensions between Iran and Israel. Israel has been bracing for a retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah in response to the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut. Major international airlines suspended their flights to the region earlier this month, and Lufthansa announced last week that it was exten ding flight suspensions until Aug. 21. In line with the Lufthansa Group's decision, scheduled flights to the region by Eurowings, and Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels airlines were also canceled. Source: Anadolu Agency
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