Flights on several major U.S. carriers have been canceled to Israel indefinitely over security concerns, according to Agence France Presse and USA Today Tuesday.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration banned all flights to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport for at least 24 hours after a rocket landed approximately one mile from the airport Tuesday, according to USA Today.
"The FAA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation. Updated instructions will be provided to U.S. airlines as soon as conditions permit, but no later than 24 hours from the last order," FAA said in a statement released around noon EST Tuesday.
U.S. Delta airlines was the first carrier to suspend all of its service to Israel after it was forced to land a Tel Aviv-bound flight in Paris following "reports of a rocket or associated debris near the airport in Tel Aviv."
"Delta has suspended service until further notice to and from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and its New York-JFK hub. Delta, in coordination with the US Federal Aviation Administration, is doing so to ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees," the airline said.
The Boeing 747 that was forced to land in Paris had 273 passengers on board as well as 17 crew members.
U.S Airways also reported to AFP via Twitter that it canceled all of its flights between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv Tuesday over "security concerns."
United Airlines also cancelled all of its Tel Aviv bound flights from Newark International Airport right outside of New York City due to "aircraft availability," according to its website. Its Wednesday flights, however, remained on schedule.
The FAA decision comes as Israel continues its Operation Protective Shield on the Gaza Strip in its so-called campaign against Hamas. More than 600 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive that is now entering its third week.
