The European Union (EU) on Saturday advised airlines to avoid the Lebanese and Israeli airspace for the next month due to escalating air strikes and rocket fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The European Commission, alongside the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), issued a warning about the “overall intensification of air strikes and degradation in the security situation.”

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The advisory recommends airlines “not to operate within the airspaces of Lebanon and Israel at all flight levels” until at least October 31, although this date could change depending on the situation.

The alert, part of a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB), may be “reviewed earlier and adapted or withdrawn” if the situation stabilizes.

“EASA will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the agency said, noting that any future updates would depend on how the conflict evolves.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been rising, with Israeli bombardment of southern Beirut on Friday reaching its highest intensity since the 2006 war between the two sides.

Israel claimed responsibility for an airstrike that allegedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, while the Iran-backed group retaliated with rocket fire aimed at a kibbutz and military targets in northern Israel.

With the security situation rapidly deteriorating, European authorities are focusing on ensuring the safety of airline operators and passengers flying in the region.

In a significant move to advance the establishment of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), President Bola Tinubu has submitted the names of the first Governing Board members to the Senate for confirmation.

This development was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy.

The move comes after President Tinubu signed the North West Development Commission Bill into law on July 24, solidifying efforts to establish the commission.

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The NWDC is expected to drive economic growth and social development across the North West region.

According to the statement, Ambassador Haruna Ginsau from Jigawa has been nominated as Chairman, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji from Kano is the pick for Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO).

The other nominated board members are:
Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe (Sokoto), Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi), Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara), Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman (Kaduna), Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil (Kano), Shamsu Sule (Katsina), Nasidi Ali (Jigawa)

The statement highlighted the expectation that these individuals will bring their extensive experience to support the Commission’s objectives of fostering growth and development in the region.

President Tinubu’s administration further reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the NWDC’s mission to deliver long-term development and economic empowerment for the North West.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has disclosed that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has been killed in an airstrike on Beirut.

The strike, which occurred late Friday night, also reportedly claimed the lives of several high-ranking Hezbollah commanders, including Ali Karki, the commander of the group’s Southern Front.

In a statement released Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared, “Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and one of its founders, was eliminated by the IDF, together with Ali Karki and additional Hezbollah commanders.”

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The airstrike marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as prior to last week, Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital had been exceedingly rare.

Overnight, the IDF continued its bombardment of Beirut, targeting what it described as missile storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah.

Witnesses in the city reported hearing massive explosions reverberating through the area.

The IDF confirmed that the airstrike targeted the central headquarters of Hezbollah, located underground beneath a residential building in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut.

The military claimed that the strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior leadership was present and involved in planning further attacks against Israel.

The escalation follows a recent increase in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began when Hezbollah began firing on northern Israel in the wake of Hamas’ attack on October 7.

According to Israeli officials, approximately 60,000 citizens have been displaced as a result of the conflict, with the government pledging to facilitate their return.

In the past week, Israeli military actions against Hezbollah have intensified, reportedly resulting in hundreds of deaths and significant displacement among civilians in Lebanon, as reported by the Lebanese government.

Hassan Nasrallah, born in Beirut in August 1960, was a pivotal figure in transforming Hezbollah into one of the most formidable paramilitary forces in the Middle East.

Rising to prominence after the assassination of his predecessor, Abbas Musawi, in 1992, Nasrallah led the group through various conflicts, including the 2006 Lebanon War and ongoing tensions with Israel.

His death, if confirmed, could have profound implications for Hezbollah and the broader regional dynamics, as the organization navigates its response to Israel’s intensified military campaign.