On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched a military operation codenamed ‘Rising Lion’ against Iran, aiming to neutralize its military leadership, nuclear program, and ballistic missile production. After 12 days of devastating Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliatory missile attacks, the bloody conflict ended with a ceasefire initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump on June 24, 2025.
Now that tensions have eased and both sides claim victory, new information and previously classified plans regarding operations before and during the war are coming to light. Israeli media revealed Monday (June 30, 2025) a secret mission involving the relocation of Israeli civilian and commercial aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport to airports in Greece and Cyprus.
According to an investigative report by Israeli newspaper Maariv, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, the head of the Civil Aviation Service, and retired Brigadier General Smuel Zakai implemented a plan for the preemptive relocation of aircraft ahead of the conflict. Hours before Israel’s aerial assault began, dozens of Israeli aircraft, along with crews and support personnel, were secretly transferred to Greece and Cyprus to assist in rescuing and repatriating thousands of stranded Israelis in Europe once Israeli airspace reopened.
Greece and Cyprus were reportedly unaware of the true reason behind the sudden influx of Israeli aircraft but allowed them to land, according to reports by Israel Hayom. The relocation served not only to aid in the evacuation of Israelis abroad but also as a protective measure against anticipated Iranian retaliation targeting civilian aircraft within Israel.
The strategic importance of Ben Gurion Airport made it a potential target for Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and Iran—something Israel had anticipated. In fact, on May 4, 2025, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a ballistic missile that struck Ben Gurion Airport, causing material damage and injuring eight people. This prior attack heightened concerns in Israel, reinforcing the decision to move aircraft out of harm’s way.
As a result, authorities issued orders to airlines El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa to relocate assets. At the same time, Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, increased its presence in those countries to protect Israeli citizens.
Since the end of the 12-day war, normalcy has largely returned to Israel, and all Israeli citizens who were stranded abroad have successfully returned home.