Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport closed for two hours on Monday morning as part of a nationwide strike, following the recovery of six hostages' bodies from the Gaza Strip. The strike comes amid growing protests calling on the government to expedite a deal for the release of remaining captives held by the Hamas terror organization.
The airport closure, scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., could potentially cause travel disruptions rippling through the week. Officials met late Sunday to discuss the shutdown's implementation, considering options such as halting only incoming flights to minimize impact on travelers, particularly families of hostages.
High-ranking aviation industry officials told Israel Hayom that even a three-hour closure could disrupt flight schedules for up to 72 hours. Sources within the Histadrut, or the General Organization of Workers in Israel, estimate the airport will close for several hours, though exact details remain undecided.
According to the Israel Airports Authority, "Ben-Gurion Airport will remain open for takeoffs and landings on Monday, Sept. 2. We advise passengers to stay informed about the flight schedule and maintain contact with their airlines."
Although the strike was supposed to end at 10:00, Histadrut sources said flights were "unlikely to resume in the coming hours." Nevertheless, several planes did take off for their destinations shortly after 10 a.m.
The airport closure was extended for several hours before a labor court ordered the unions to resume work, saying the solidarity strike to protest the death of hostages in Hamas captivity was political.
