Israel-Gaza Conflict: FAA Lifts Ban on US Flights to Tel Aviv

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted its ban on US airlines flying to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport but warned of a "very fluid situation" due to the raging Israel-Gaza crisis.

The ban was imposed after increasing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and was widely trumpeted as a victory for Hamas.

The FAA said in a statement: "Before making this decision, the FAA worked with its US government counterparts to assess the security situation in Israel and carefully reviewed both significant new information and measures the Government of Israel is taking to mitigate potential risks to civil aviation."

"The FAA's primary mission and interest are the protection of people travelling on US airlines. The agency will continue to closely monitor the very fluid situation around Ben Gurion Airport and will take additional actions, as necessary."

The original ban had attracted sharp criticism from Israeli supporters who insisted that security at the Tel Aviv airport is rigorous.

The Israeli government had even opened alternative terminals at Ovda Airport for international airlines which had expressed concern over the situation, besides keeping the Ben Gurion airport open.

Korean Airlines was the first carrier to suspend flights to Israel over the conflict, but several others swiftly followed suit after the FAA ban.