Since Israel began its offensive against Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA), has continued flying. Located on the coast, where many Hezbollah operations take place, Beirut’s airport remains operational, unlike during the 2006 war when Israeli strikes quickly disabled the facility. Captain Mohammed Aziz, an adviser to MEA chairman Mohamed El-Hout, revealed that the airline had received assurances from Israel that neither the airport nor its planes would be targeted, provided they serve only civilian purposes. Daily assessments are cond…