The situation in the Middle East worsened drastically on Tuesday. Reports say the Israeli military sent additional units to South Lebanon to expand operations against positions held by the Hezbollah militia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel is not seeking a long war, but intends to act decisively and with clear goals against the threats.
The escalation has an immediate effect on international travel. The tourism group TUI started bringing tourists back from the region on Tuesday. A first special flight from Dubai is already on its way to Frankfurt am Main. The German Foreign Office is in close contact with tour operators to ensure the safety of German citizens. There is a mood of alarm in the travel industry, as many airlines have canceled or adjusted their connections to the crisis region.
Internationally, pressure is mounting on the conflict parties to avoid further escalation. The USA and European partners are watching Israel's troop movements with concern, while the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is becoming more precarious due to ongoing fighting and movements of displaced people within the country.
