UPDATES WITH EGYPTIAN CIVIL AVIATION MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENT; REVISES DECK
By Mohammad Sio
ISTANBUL (AA) - With the region on edge over a possible larger regional war, Egypt instructed its airlines to avoid Iran’s airspace for a three-hour period early Thursday, fearing that Iran might attack Israel.
The Wednesday notice of potential hazards along a flight route said the instruction would be effective from 4 to 7 am local time (0100-0400GMT).
“All Egyptian carriers shall avoid overflying Tehran. No flight plan will be accepted overflying such territory,” the notice said.
Later, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry said it had received a notification from Iranian authorities concerning upcoming military exercises, and so issued a warning to all Egyptian airlines to avoid Iranian airspace on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the announcement, the Wednesday military drills took place place 11.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m. Tehran local time (0830-1130GMT), and the Thursday drills are set for 4.30-7.30 am (0130-0430GMT).
“To ensure the safety of passengers and adhere to international safety standards, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry has instructed all Egyptian airlines to avoid flying over Iranian airspace during these times,” said a ministry statement.
“This precautionary measure is aimed at preventing any potential risks to aviation safety during the (Iranian) military exercises,” it added.
- High tension, high alert
Israel is on a high military alert for a potential Iranian attack following last week’s assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh. While Hamas and Iran accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied responsibility.
Lebanese group Hezbollah has also threatened to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of its senior commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb on July 30.
The escalation comes amid Israel’s devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack last October despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,000 injured, according to local health authorities.
Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.