The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice-to-airmen ordering U.S. airlines to temporary refrain from flying through Israel's main airport due to security concerns.

U.S. airlines are now prohibited from flying to and from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport after a rocket landed and exploded nearby this week. The ban is effective for 24 hours.

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The advisory came a day after the U.S. government advised its citizens to postpone their travel to Israel if possible, as the Israeli army conducts a military operation to crack down on Hamas militants in the Gaza border. Over 500 people have been killed, mostly civilians.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have both suspended their operations in the airport even before the issuance of advisory.

Delta said a flight 468 from New York-JFK hub was diverted to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on Tuesday immediately after news of rockets reaching into the vicinity of Ben Gurion airport.

But Israel Airport Authority urged FAA them to reconsider its advisory, saying the airport remains to be generally safe despite the rocket launching of Hamas across the Jewish state, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, other international airlines have also suspended their operations in Israel due to the escalating violence ripping the country, and as an offshoot of the Malaysia Airlines flight 17 tragedy.

Lufthansa and Air France, the largest airlines in Germany and France, have announced the suspension of its flights in Tel Aviv as a precautionary measure. The suspension, issued Tuesday night, is effective for 36 hours, Associated Press reported.

Dutch flag carrier KLM has also cancelled its Amsterdam-Tel Aviv flight for security purposes.

The war between Israel and Hamas militants have intensified in recent days after the Israeli forces started its ground invasion, targeting "terror tunnels" which the militants used to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks. Israel's ground operation is also backed by aerial and naval attacks, which largely resulted in deaths of civilians in the Gaza strip.

Israel said it will continue its operation until the threat posed by Hamas subsides. Militants, on the other hand, said the unguided launche of thousands of rockets will continue despite calls from international community to halt their offensive.

Health officials based in Gaza reported a high number of casualties, with over 500 Palestinians killed in the two-week assault, mostly civilians and children. 

TagsAirlines, Israel