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FAA Bans Flights From U.S. To Israel After Rocket Attack

Shortly after a rocket hit about a mile from a Tel Aviv airport, the Federal Aviation Administration banned all U.S. flights to or from Israel.

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The Federal Aviation Administration banned all flights from the U.S. to Israel for 24 hours on Tuesday amid security fears.

Delta was the first airline to independently cancel its flights after a rocket hit a house about a mile away from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv Tuesday morning. (Via Getty Images, Getty Images)

It was quickly followed by US Airways and United Airlines canceling flights of their own Tuesday. (Via Mashable, E poch Times)

Shortly after, the FAA made an official decision to bar all flights to or from that area, citing that rocket attack and writing, "Updated instructions will be provided to U.S. airlines ... no later than 24 hours from the time the Notice to Airmen went into force." (Via Federal Aviation Administration)

News outlets were quick to connect the dots between the FAA's decision and the downing of MH17 last week. (Via Getty Images)

"They don't want to take any chances, I suspect in part because of what happened over Ukraine with the Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 the other day. They just want to be on the safe side of rockets or so are coming close to Ben Gurion Airport." (Via CNN)

And the decision has proved to be a polarizing one, as some argue Delta is doing exactly what Hamas wants.

Bloomberg reports the Israeli minister of transport condemned the move, saying there was no reason to stop the flights and that in doing so, airlines "give a prize to terror."

But it's worth noting that decision only applies to U.S. carriers.

"This does not apply to any foreign carriers that may choose to fly into Tel Aviv, and we've already heard from several, including, we understand, British Airways and Aeroflot and others who have said we're going to continue to fly into Tel Aviv for now." (Via MSNBC)

Still, the BBC reports some major European airlines are following suit, including Air France, KLM and Lufthansa. They're also suspending flights to Israel— with Lufthansa putting flights on hold for two days.

The FAA's notice was issued at 12:15 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday and is expected to expire midday Wednesday.