On October 7, 2023, Israel woke up to a massive rocket attack targeting multiple cities throughout the country. This was combined with the news that Hamas operatives had breached Israeli defenses and were attacking communities in the south, in areas adjacent to the Gaza Strip.
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The Initial Attack
The initial thrust of the attack arrived, unsuspectingly, from the air, as armed attackers used paragliders to hop over the barriers that separate Israel from Gaza. The attackers used the surprise factor to overwhelm Israeli defenses, massacre civilians in different locations, base and even take control temporarily of an Israeli military base.
The Counterattack
While battles were raging on the ground, Israeli Air Force jets, which official sources numbered as being “in the dozens”, took to the skies to counterattack. According to the Israeli Air Force, 21 different Hamas-linked sites in Gaza were destroyed. An undetermined number of attackers were also engaged within Israeli territory.
The Aftermath
Rocket attacks resumed at night, with Iron Dome anti-air defense systems going into action. According to the Israeli authorities, the number of rockets launched at Israeli cities on Saturday numbered in the thousands.
Impact on Air Travel
Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport remained open throughout the day, although, at times, travelers were told to lay down on the tarmac to protect themselves from incoming missiles. Many airlines, including Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Air India, and Air France, have either canceled flights to Tel Aviv or modified their schedules due to the ongoing security situation.
Conclusion
The aerial aspect of this conflict has brought a new level of complexity and danger. It underscores the need for effective air defense systems and highlights the far-reaching impacts of such conflicts on global travel and commerce.
