Rare images and video show the normally bustling halls of Ben Gurion Airport sitting almost completely empty as Israel’s airspace remains heavily restricted during the ongoing war with Iran.

The footage captures deserted terminals, silent check-in counters, and empty departure halls at what is usually one of the busiest travel hubs in the Middle East. With commercial aviation largely halted, the airport, normally filled with tourists, families, and business travelers, now appears unusually quiet.

For many Israelis, the images of an almost empty Ben Gurion Airport are a striking and somber reminder of the war’s impact on daily life—an unusual sight that many hope will not continue for very long.

In recent days, Israeli authorities have begun allowing limited rescue flights to land in order to bring home Israelis stranded abroad. Airlines are gradually operating tightly controlled repatriation flights from select destinations, though operations remain limited as security conditions continue to be monitored.