By Abdelraouf Arnaout
JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli Air Force suspended travel abroad for its personnel amid heightened tensions with Iran following last month’s assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
The army said the decision was taken by Air Force Commander Tomer Bar following a new assessment of the situation.
The decision applies to career offices and non-commissioned officers, not conscripts, according to The Times of Israel newspaper.
Regional tension has escalated since Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran's capital Tehran on July 31 after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president.
While Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied responsibility. Iran vowed retaliation for Haniyeh’s assassination on its soil.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah group is also expected to retaliate after Israel assassinated its senior commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut on July 30.
The escalation comes amid an ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza which has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians following Hamas's Oct. 7 attack last year.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala