Lebanon’s transport and public works ministry requested an Iranian plane to avoid entering Lebanese airspace on Friday after Israel warned it would use force if the aircraft landed, a source at the Lebanese transport ministry told Reuters.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the contents of the plane were unknown, adding: “The priority is people.”
This development comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced late Friday that Israeli air force planes were “patrolling the area of the Beirut airport” and would not allow “hostile flights with weapons to land” there.
“We know about Iranian arms transfers to Hezbollah and are thwarting them,” Hagari stated, highlighting Israel’s concerns about weapons shipments to the militant group.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing hostilities. Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets and missiles at targets in Israel, including Tel Aviv. The group reported launching more attacks on Saturday. Israel’s military confirmed that sirens had sounded in northern Israel, though the country’s air defense systems have so far minimized damage from these attacks.
Israel’s military also announced that the country is on high alert for a potential broader conflict.
