Israeli Strike on Lebanese Government Building Kills at Least 13 Security Officers

Apr 12, 2026

An Israeli airstrike on a State Security agency building in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, killed at least 13 Lebanese security force members on April 10-11, 2026, marking a significant escalation as the attack targeted government forces during US-Iran peace talks. Despite Israel issuing evacuation warnings for areas near Beirut's only international airport—which handles eight million passengers annually—the facility remained operational at reduced capacity with less than half its normal traffic. Lebanese aviation chief Mohammed Aziz maintained operations based on risk assessments from the US embassy and guarantees received during the week of April 7 that the airport would be spared, with Americans serving as main intermediaries for air traffic coordination. Middle East Airlines reduced Turkey flights from 11 to three daily, while most other carriers suspended service, leaving departure boards largely red with cancellations as just dozens of travelers occupied the normally packed terminal.

Beirut Airport Operations During Israeli Strikes

▪Beirut airport remained operational despite Israeli airstrikes in the area as of April 11, 2026.
▪Beirut airport stayed open during the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war.
▪A Middle East Airlines flight landed at Beirut airport on Thursday evening, April 10, 2026, just hours after Israel issued an evacuation warning.

Safety Coordination and International Guarantees

▪Mohammed Aziz is the head of Lebanon's civil aviation authority.
▪Jalal Haidar is a Lebanese-American who took over as Beirut airport's chief operating officer two months before April 2026.
▪Lebanese authorities received additional guarantees during the week of April 7, 2026 that Beirut airport would be spared from Israeli strikes.
▪Israeli military forces know where Middle East Airlines planes are because the planes' transponders are turned on.

Impact on Air Traffic and Passenger Experience

▪Beirut airport's departure boards were largely red with cancellations as of April 11, 2026.
▪Most airlines suspended trips to Beirut as of April 11, 2026.
▪Beirut airport was operating at reduced capacity as of April 11, 2026.
▪Middle East Airlines was operating three flights a day to Turkey as of April 11, 2026, compared to 11 normally.
▪Beirut airport renovations aim to enable the facility to accommodate up to an extra 1.3 million passengers in 2026.
▪On Friday, April 11, 2026, just a few dozen travellers were in Beirut airport's usually packed departures hall.

Perspective of Israel

▪Israel conducted an airstrike on a State Security agency building in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, killing at least 13 Lebanese security force members.

Perspective of United States

▪The United States was engaged in peace talks with Iran at the time of Israel's escalatory airstrike in Nabatieh.

Perspective of Middle East Airlines

▪Middle East Airlines reduced flights to Turkey from 11 normally to three per day as of April 11, 2026 due to the crisis.
▪Middle East Airlines continued landing flights at Beirut airport just hours after Israeli evacuation warnings for nearby areas.