Lois Larson
The Gaza International Airport, also known as the Yasser Arafat International Airport, was inaugurated in 1998 and was a symbol of Palestinian hopes for peace and independence. However, the airport was short-lived as Israel shut it down after the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000. In 2001, the Israeli military bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway, citing fears that the Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle in weapons and militants. The airport has since been looted and dismantled, and no planes have taken off or landed there in nearly 20 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 2001, 2005, 2006 |
| Reason for bombing | Israel feared Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle in weapons and militants; reprisal for the killing of four Israeli soldiers by Hamas militants; in retaliation for Houthi strikes |
| Other reasons | Israel did not have full control of the airport; the airport was seen as a symbol of Palestinian hopes for peace and independence |
| Results | The airport has been looted and dismantled; the runway was destroyed; the airport was further devastated by Israeli bombing |
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What You'll Learn
- Israel feared Palestinians would smuggle weapons and militants through the airport
- The airport was a symbol of Palestinian independence and freedom
- Israel did not have full control over the airport
- The Second Intifada broke out in 2000, leading to the airport's closure
- Israel bombed the airport during wars with Hamas
Israel feared Palestinians would smuggle weapons and militants through the airport
The construction of the Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza was agreed upon as part of the Oslo Accords. The airport was inaugurated in November 1998, with large jets from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Spain landing during the ceremony.
The airport was a significant symbol of Palestinian hopes for peace, independence, and freedom from Israel's control. However, Israel shut down the airport after the outbreak of the Second Intifada in September 2000, and in December 2001, the Israeli military bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway.
Israel's actions were motivated by their fear that Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle weapons and militants into the country. This fear was not unfounded, as there were reports of plans by the Palestinian Authority and a PLO faction to smuggle 50 tons of weapons to Gaza. The captured ship's captain confirmed that the weapons were destined for Gaza, although the Palestinian Authority denied any involvement.
The bombing of the airport in Gaza was part of a series of daily reprisals by Israel, including the detention of Palestinians suspected of weapons smuggling and militant activities. Israel's destruction of the airport, therefore, served as a strong message to deter further militant attacks and weapons smuggling attempts.
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The airport was a symbol of Palestinian independence and freedom
The opening of the Yasser Arafat International Airport in 1998 was a significant moment for Palestinians, marking a step towards independence and freedom from Israeli control. The airport was built with funding from Egypt, Spain, and Germany and was designed by Moroccan architects at a total cost of $61 million.
The airport was meant to be a symbol of Palestinian sovereignty and freedom. Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath described the airport as "not only a sign of sovereignty but a sign of freedom. They were to free us from Israel's total control of everything that comes into Palestine and everything that comes out of Palestine. That's why they were very, very important to us."
The airport was also a source of pride and a representation of Palestinian aspirations for peace and independence. For the first time, Palestinians had their own gate to the world, with Palestinian Airlines linking Gaza to six cities in the region, including Dubai and Larnaca.
However, the airport was not without its challenges. Despite its construction being agreed upon in the Oslo Accords, the Palestinians did not have full control of the airport. Israeli security guards conducted security checks, and Israel had to approve passenger lists in advance. Flights from countries considered enemies of Israel were also banned.
In 2000, the Second Intifada broke out, and the airport saw its last flight depart in 2001. Israeli forces shut down the airport, citing fears that Palestinians would use it to smuggle weapons and militants. In December 2001, Israeli warplanes bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway, rendering the airport inoperable. Despite rebukes from the International Civil Aviation Organization, the airport remained closed, and further conflicts between Israel and Hamas in 2006 led to additional damage to the airport's buildings and infrastructure.
Today, the airport lies in ruins, a stark contrast to the hopes and dreams it once represented.
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Israel did not have full control over the airport
The Gaza International Airport, later renamed Yasser Arafat International Airport, was inaugurated on 24 November 1998. The airport was constructed as part of the Oslo Accords, which outlined the construction of airports in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, the Oslo Accords did not provide specific details regarding the size or construction timeline of the airports.
While the airport was physically located in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians were not given full control of its operations. Israeli security guards were responsible for conducting security checks, including passport control and baggage inspections. Moreover, Israel retained the authority to approve passenger lists in advance and prohibited flights from countries it considered hostile. This dynamic contradicted the Palestinian aspirations for independence and sovereignty, as they sought to free themselves from Israel's control over all aspects of Palestinian life.
The airport's opening was considered a significant milestone, marking a step towards Palestinian independence and a symbol of peace. However, the airport's operations were short-lived due to the outbreak of the Second Intifada in September 2000. Following this, Israel shut down the airport, and in December 2001, the Israeli military bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway.
The International Civil Aviation Organization rebuked Israel for the attack on the airport in March 2002. Despite this, the airport remained closed, and Israel continued to shell it during conflicts with Hamas, further devastating the site. The airport personnel continued to staff ticket counters and baggage areas to deter looting and further Israeli attacks, but no planes have taken off or landed there for nearly 20 years.
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The Second Intifada broke out in 2000, leading to the airport's closure
The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was a period of heightened violence and tension between Israelis and Palestinians, lasting from 2000 to 2005. The Second Intifada broke out in September 2000, and the airport saw its last flight depart in 2001. The immediate catalyst for the violence was the breakdown of the Camp David negotiations on July 25, 2000, and the widespread belief in the international community that the Palestinian Authority was responsible for the impasse.
Many also point to the visit of Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif on September 28, 2000, as the spark that triggered the rioting and clashes that marked the beginning of the Second Intifada. The day after Sharon's visit, following Friday prayers, large riots broke out around the Old City of Jerusalem. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters resulted in the deaths of four Palestinian youths and one Israeli police officer.
The Second Intifada led to a significant increase in violence, with a particular emphasis on suicide bombings deliberately targeting Israeli civilians using public transportation. This marked a shift in tactics from the First Intifada, which was primarily characterised by non-violent protests, strikes, and demonstrations. The increased violence and targeting of civilians caused the Oslo Accords, which had previously been viewed positively, to be seen with increasing disfavor by the Israeli public.
The outbreak of the Second Intifada led to the closure of the airport in Gaza. Israel shut down the airport, and in December 2001, the Israeli military bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway. Israel feared that the Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle in weapons and militants. The airport was never reopened, and it was looted and dismantled in the years following its closure.
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Israel bombed the airport during wars with Hamas
The Gaza International Airport, also known as the Yasser Arafat International Airport, was inaugurated in November 1998. The airport was a symbol of Palestinian hopes for peace and independence. However, the Second Intifada broke out in September 2000, and the airport saw its last flight depart in 2001.
In December 2001, the Israeli military bombed the radar station and bulldozed the runway, citing fears that the Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle in weapons and militants. Israel continued to shell the airport during wars with Hamas, damaging buildings like the south wing, which was nearing completion.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in multiple wars and ongoing tensions. During these conflicts, Israel has repeatedly targeted the airport, with Palestinian officials ceasing to protect it in 2006. The site has been looted and stripped of valuable equipment, including radars.
The bombing of the airport by Israel has been condemned by various parties, including Palestinian leaders and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The airport holds significance for Palestinians, representing a step towards independence and freedom from Israeli control. Despite the initial cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian authorities during the airport's construction, the outbreak of violence and subsequent destruction of the airport have left it in a state of ruin.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel bombed Gaza's Yasser Arafat International Airport in response to a Palestinian terror attack that killed four Israeli soldiers. Israel feared that Palestinians would use the airport to smuggle in weapons and militants.
The airport was a symbol of Palestinian hopes for peace and independence. It was also seen as a sign of freedom and sovereignty, freeing Palestinians from Israel's control over everything coming into and out of Palestine.
The International Civil Aviation Organization rebuked Israel for the attack. In Washington, a senior US official said that the Bush administration had concluded that the Palestinian Authority and a PLO faction controlled by Arafat were involved in a plan to smuggle weapons to Gaza.
