The first repatriation flight carrying Israelis stranded abroad due to the ongoing conflict with Iran landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, the Israel Airports Authority said.

"Just a short while ago, the first flight of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport," the authority said in a statement. It added that the flight was operated by national carrier El Al and brought citizens home from Larnaca, Cyprus.

The arrival marks the beginning of a large-scale repatriation effort following widespread flight cancellations triggered by Israel’s surprise air campaign against Iran, which began Friday. The confrontation has since escalated into the most intense exchange between the two countries to date.

Transport Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stranded abroad. The Transport Ministry noted that all commercial aircraft had been relocated out of the country to protect them amid the air war.

After suspending flights last week, El Al announced it was "preparing rescue flights" starting Wednesday, with departures from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. Low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also said it would operate special repatriation flights this week.

The Airports Authority said Wednesday that the return operation "is being managed in stages based on the level of risk and current security assessments, with a strong emphasis on the safety of passengers, aircrews and aircraft."

It urged the public "not to go to Ben Gurion Airport to greet arriving passengers or order taxis to pick them up from the airport due to the current security situation."

The repatriation comes as tensions continue to rise. Iran said early Wednesday that it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in its latest retaliatory strike.

Israel says its ongoing offensive is aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons — a claim Iran denies.