TEL AVIV: Large crowds were reported at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv as residents sought to leave Israel amid continued missile attacks linked to the escalating conflict with Iran, according to local reports and eyewitness accounts.
Passengers were seen gathering inside the airport terminals and around departure areas as authorities gradually resumed limited outbound flights after days of severe disruptions caused by missile strikes and security alerts.
Israeli officials had previously closed the country’s airspace following joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian targets that triggered retaliatory missile attacks across the region.
The renewed activity at Ben Gurion Airport comes as Israeli authorities cautiously reopen aviation operations under strict restrictions due to ongoing security threats. Initial plans allow only a limited number of flights and passengers per hour as the military continues to monitor the risk of further missile launches.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed long lines of travelers inside the airport complex, many carrying luggage and waiting for flights to destinations in Europe and other regions. However, officials say priority has also been given to organizing special flights and alternative routes to assist travelers affected by the conflict.
The aviation disruption follows a week of intense military exchanges between Iran and Israel, including missile attacks that targeted central Israel and strategic sites, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Israeli authorities say the reopening of the country’s main international gateway is part of a gradual effort to restore transportation links while maintaining security precautions.
Analysts say the scenes at Ben Gurion Airport reflect growing public anxiety as the conflict continues, with many residents seeking temporary departure options while others attempt to return home after being stranded abroad during the earlier closure of Israeli airspace.
