As part of Israel’s preparation for Operation Rising Lion, a secret plan was devised to move Israeli planes from Ben-Gurion Airport and transfer them to airports in Cyprus and Greece, according to Maariv. This operation was led by Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the Civil Aviation Authority director Brig.Gen. (res.) Shmuel Zakai, and cooperating regional countries.
Hours before the beginning of Israel’s historic air assault, dozens of Israeli aircraft, flight attendants, and plane crews were secretly transferred to Greece and Cyprus with the intention of rescuing thousands of stranded Israelis once the airspace reopens.
Greece and Cyprus were reportedly unaware of the reason behind the large influx of planes arriving from Israel, but still allowed them to land, according to Israel Hayom.
According to Maariv, the removal of the aircraft and crews was not only meant to help rescue stranded Israelis abroad but also as a protective measure in preparation for an Iranian retaliation. The defense establishment predicted that Iran would send missiles targeting Israeli planes.
The strategic importance of Ben Gurion Airport
Ben-Gurion Airport is a strategic target for the terrorist groups threatening Israel, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. The Israeli defense establishment predicted that Iran would also try to harm Israel’s largest airport; therefore, preparations were made in advance.
The defense establishment instructed El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa to transfer all their aircrafts to airports in Cyprus, Greece, and the United States, according to Maariv. The Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) also increased security in countries where these planes are stationed.
The impact of the Houthi strike on Ben Gurion
On May 4, 2025, the Houthis, an Iranian-backed terrorist group operating in Yemen, fired a missile at Ben-Gurion and hit the perimeter of the main terminal of the airport, leaving a crater, damaging a road and vehicle, and injuring eight, according to Reuters.
According to i24 News, both the Arrow and THAAD defense systems failed to stop the incoming projectile – an alarming lapse given these systems had previously proven effective at blocking Houthi attacks.
Travel following October 7
The events following October 7 have highlighted Israel’s challenges with flights and tourism. Due to the severity and prolonged nature of the current war, most foreign airlines remain in a state of uncertainty regarding travel to Israel. When tensions escalate, the majority cancel their flights, leaving El Al as one of the few reliable options for travel to and from the country. British Airways announced last Thursday that it would continue suspending all flights to and from Israel through October 25, according to Ynet.
A senior official told Israel Hayom that while threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have been largely neutralized or significantly weakened, Iran continues to pose a serious danger. This is a primary reason for the current focus on ballistic missile threats against Israel.