Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport’s arrival section virtually empty amid conflict

By Turgut Alp Boyraz

TEL AVIV (AA) - Several flights to Israel's only international airport were canceled as tensions escalated with Palestinian group Hamas.

The Ben Gurion Airport’s arrival section gave a deserted look, and only one officer was seen working at the passport section.

The departure section, however, was crowded. Due to flight cancellations, several people had to wait at the airport for hours.

Speaking to Anadolu, passenger Michał Paprota said he came to Israel with a group of tourists from Poland, and had a return flight on Saturday. But it was cancelled, and they had to wait.

“There are women and children in our group. People are worried what happened,” he said.

Paprota then contacted Polish authorities and the group was booked for a flight on Sunday. “We hope to board the plane to return to our country soon,” he added.

Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Saturday, saying the unprecedented attack was in response to storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas, launching air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Fighting continued into its second day on Sunday, as Israel declared a state of war.