Israeli passengers voiced relief and hope on Thursday (April 9) as they arrived in Ben Gurion international airport, where activity was going back to normal after 40 days of restrictions due to the Iran war.

Israel's transport ministry said on Wednesday (April 8) that Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, will resume full operations at midnight following the announcement of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. It added that other airports across the country will gradually return to normal activity as well.

For Israelis who were stranded due to limitations on flights during the war, the news sparked relief and hope that things will stay 'as normal as possible'.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to retain military assets in the Middle East until a peace deal with Iran is reached and warned of a major escalation in fighting if it failed to comply, as oil prices rose on concerns over supply and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Though both the United States and Iran declared victory in a five-week-old war that has killed thousands, their core disputes remained unresolved, with each side sticking to competing demands for a deal that could shape the Middle East for generations.

-Rami Amichay, Lianne Back/Reuters