Israel secretly moved planes to Cyprus and Greece before Iran bombing

In the hours leading up to a major Israeli military strike, dozens of Israeli aircraft were quietly moved out of harm’s way, and into Cyprus and Greece, without those host countries being fully aware of the plan’s purpose, according to Israeli media reports.

The operation, part of Israel’s secret preparations for what it called “Operation Rising Lion”, was reportedly led by Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev and other top officials, with the goal of both protecting Israeli planes from potential Iranian retaliation and pre-positioning them to rescue stranded Israeli citizens once airspace reopened.

Secret flight transfers before the strike

Just before the operation launched, commercial aircraft, flight crews, and attendants from Israel’s major airlines, including El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa, were flown to Cyprus, Greece, and the United States, according to the Israeli daily Maariv.

Although Cyprus and Greece allowed the aircraft to land, officials were reportedly not told that the flights were part of Israel’s emergency military preparations. Israel’s defense establishment feared missile strikes from Iran targeting Ben-Gurion Airport and believed the aircraft could be at risk if they stayed on the ground in Israel.

The move was also intended to ensure that planes would be available to fly thousands of Israelis home once it was deemed safe.

Fears of Iranian retaliation

The secrecy and urgency of the operation were fueled by growing threats in the region. Israeli intelligence reportedly believed that Iran might attempt to strike Ben-Gurion Airport or target Israeli aircraft in the event of escalation. In fact, Ben-Gurion is considered a strategic target by groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, both of which are aligned with Iran.

On May 4, those concerns were validated when the Houthis fired a missile at Ben-Gurion Airport, striking just outside the main terminal. The blast left a crater, damaged infrastructure, and injured eight people. According to reports, Israel’s much-touted Arrow and THAAD missile defense systems failed to intercept the projectile, a worrying lapse in national defense.

Tourism in limbo

The ongoing war and missile threats have had a crippling effect on Israel’s aviation and tourism industry. Since October 7, most international airlines have pulled out or severely cut back on flights to and from the country. El Al has remained one of the few carriers still flying, becoming a lifeline for both commercial and emergency travel.

British Airways recently announced it would continue suspending all flights to Israel through late October, highlighting how unstable the aviation landscape remains.

Cyprus and Greece caught in the middle?

While Israel’s strategy was focused on security and readiness, the fact that dozens of aircraft were moved into neighboring countries under the radar could cause diplomatic ripples, particularly if those countries feel blindsided by being part of a sensitive military plan.

Though there has been no official response from the governments of Cyprus or Greece so far, their involuntary role in Israel’s military logistics raises questions about regional coordination, transparency, and neutrality in a volatile environment.