Israel's Ben Gurion airport looks like 'madhouse' amid chaos

By Hoang Phong October 8, 2023 | 05:41 am PT

Passengers look at a departure board at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 7, 2023, as flights are canceled because of the Hamas surprise attacks. Photo by AFP

Major airlines scrambled to cancel flights to Israel following attacks by the Hamas militant group, sparking massive chaos at Ben Gurion Airport as a sea of passengers want to leave the country.

"It took four hours to get to the gate. It was a madhouse," American tourist Alan Goldfarb said as cited CBS New York.

He arrived in the capital of Tel Aviv in Israel on Thursday for a two-week holiday.

However, Hamas militants have fired nearly 3,000 rockets on Israel's territory, and made surprise attacks in border areas since early October 7.

The capital city looked like a ‘ghost town,’ Goldfarb added.

A series of US and European airlines announced the cancelation of flights to and from Israel after the Hamas attack campaign. As of October 7, about 16% of flights at Ben Gurion International Airport were canceled and 23% were delayed, the Independent reported.

Another American tourist identified as Lauri Bader said she was woken up to a siren on October 7 and had to go to a safe room, which is like a bomb shelter.

Like many others, Bader is preparing to make plans to return home.

Many countries called on their citizens not to travel to Israel at this time to ensure safety.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday announced Vietnamese citizens, including the Vietnamese community, officials on business trips and tourists to Israel, have remained safe amid the escalating conflicts.