Flights between the United States and Israel have stopped in the days since Hamas militants attacked concertgoers Sunday, leaving Americans stranded abroad and Israeli citizens unable to return home.
The Biden administration took two actions Wednesday that have grounded virtually all chances of getting in and out of Tel Aviv.
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The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice Wednesday calling on all air carriers, including commercial airlines, to exercise caution in and out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
"Due to the ongoing conflict situation in the region, between Israel and Gaza based extremists militants, operators are advised to review current security, threat information, and [The Notice to Air Missions]," the FAA said in a statement.
Major U.S.-based airlines swiftly canceled flights to Tel Aviv this week after the Sunday attack and the fighting that has claimed more than 2,700 lives since then on both sides, leaving Americans in Israel unable to fly out on major U.S.-based commercial airlines.
United Airlines was the first airline to take action with its announcement Sunday that flights were canceled "until conditions allow them to resume." It also included the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, as eligible for flight changes.
On Monday, Delta Air Lines canceled all Tel Aviv flights through Oct. 31. Flights between Oct. 7 and Sept. 6, 2024, may be changed, but travel must be rebooked by Dec. 31.
American Airlines said Tuesday all flights to or from Tel Aviv were canceled through at least Dec. 4. American is allowing passengers to change flights that go to or through Tel Aviv at no additional cost for travel scheduled any time between Oct. 7 and Dec. 4.
By Wednesday, the State Department issued a new travel advisory that upgraded the security threat for Americans traveling to the West Bank and Israel to Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
A Level 4: Do Not Travel issued on Oct. 3 for the Gaza remained in effect.
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"Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," the State Department wrote in the advisory.
"Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning. There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning," the advisory continued.