FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – An El Al flight returning Israeli citizens from Cyprus was forced to circle the skies early Thursday before eventually landing safely at Ben Gurion Airport, following a new wave of missile strikes targeting central Israel.
The aircraft, part of an ongoing government-led repatriation effort, remained airborne for about 30 minutes while officials assessed the situation on the ground. After receiving clearance, the plane landed without incident.
Israel’s airspace has been closed to regular commercial traffic since last Friday due to escalating hostilities. In response, a coordinated operation was launched to bring home tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad. Special return flights have been organized from several regional and European airports, with Cyprus playing a central role due to its proximity and large Israeli travel presence.
Thursday’s missile barrage caused explosions in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Holon, and surrounding areas. Several impact sites were confirmed, and emergency services reported significant damage, including to residential areas. Hospitals in southern Israel, already strained by the conflict, received multiple casualties following the attacks.
Despite the country’s layered air defense systems, authorities acknowledged that missile interceptions are not foolproof, and residents were instructed to remain in shelters during the attack.
Repatriation flights are continuing under heightened security measures, with landing windows carefully managed in accordance with airspace alerts. Additional flights are expected to depart from Athens, Larnaca, and other hubs as the return effort intensifies in the coming days.