Ben-Gurion Airport Sees Cancellations After Israel Strikes Hezbollah Military Sites

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon triggered disruptions at the country’s primary airport, with flights delayed and passengers stranded

Hezbollah planned on Sunday to launch a massive attack of more than 6,000 rockets targeting the heart of Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of Fuad Shukr, a leading Hezbollah commander. Israel pre-empted the attack, striking major Hezbollah military assets in Lebanon. Several rocket launchers and other military assets in Lebanon were targeted, though Hezbollah claimed it still managed to fire 320 rockets and drones at Israeli territory.

As these attacks unfolded, Israel’s Airports Authority closed Ben Gurion International Airport at 5 am, reopening it two hours later. Passengers were urged to check the status of their flights.

Many travelers gathered at the airport hoping to depart, but most outgoing flights from Tel Aviv were delayed, with several canceled for the day.

“On the way to the airport, I got a message saying the flight was canceled. I was here hours before, so I asked immediately at the information desk if there was an alternative. They told me that if I found myself a flight from here to Cyprus at my expense, they could have connected me to London,” said Henry Hoffmann, an Israeli citizen who was meant to fly to London, to The Media Line.

The situation is calm; there’s no reason for flights to be canceled

“The situation is calm; there’s no reason for flights to be canceled. … The airport is operating as usual; I think even flights to Beirut are operating again,” Hoffmann said.

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, life appeared to continue normally. People gathered at the Carmel Market to shop as usual.

“Tel Aviv is not a dangerous place, there were not huge problems here. There are places right now in Israel more at risk like the north and the south due to what happened, but Tel Aviv is a safe place, and hopefully each corner of Israel will be safe again,” Or, a Tel Aviv resident, told The Media Line.

Tourism has not only been at risk for the past 10 months but has been further impacted by recent events between Israel and Hezbollah.

Before the killing of Fuad Shukr and Haniyeh, we had a few reservations—around 10 to 15 people coming. Since then, we have had zero.

“Before the killing of Fuad Shukr and [Hamas leader Ismail] Haniyeh, we had a few reservations—around 10 to 15 people coming. Since then, we have had zero. The recent problems at the airport only worsened the situation,” said Asaf Ben Ari, CEO of Bein Harim tourism services, speaking to The Media Line.

“Our government is quite terrible. We receive zero compensation as tourism companies and tour operators. We’ve been deeply affected and will surely continue to be in the future. We used to have 45 employees, but now we’re down to six. We had to let people go, unfortunately,” Ben Ari added.

Our government is quite terrible. … We’ve been deeply affected and will surely continue to be in the future.

He also mentioned that a few people he knew were affected by the current issues with flights in and out of the country.

“A dear friend of mine was supposed to travel to London yesterday, but her flight was canceled, and she still doesn’t know when the next one will be scheduled. Another friend was coming back from Croatia but got stuck there. Today, they’re trying to find a solution through third countries, but it’s very messy,” he concluded.

Giorgia Valente is a recent graduate of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and an intern in The Media Line’s Press and Policy Student Program.