As a family carries an explosive shell to Israel's airport, mayhem ensues.

After presenting an unexploded artillery shell at a security check, a US family provoked a bomb scare at Israel's biggest international airport.

According to authorities, they picked up the ordnance during a journey to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which has been the site of hostilities between Israel and Syria.

On social media, video footage showed panicked people fleeing the scene.

After being quizzed by security, the family was given the all-clear to board their aircraft.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel took the majority of the Golan Heights from Syria, and relics of the fighting may still be found in the area.

According to Israel's YNet news site, a member of the family produced the shell from their rucksack and requested a security official if it could be put in luggage during the event on Thursday night.

According to the site, the official ordered her immediate proximity to be vacated, but another passenger who misheard her began shouting "terrorists firing," causing enormous panic.

Hundreds of passengers were seen shouting and fleeing the check-in area, with some crouching or lying on the floor amid the pandemonium, according to a video released on social media by Israel's Kan public TV.

Amid the turmoil, Uri, a 32-year-old guy, was injured while attempting to flee and was transported to the hospital.

"I was at the airport waiting in line for an hour till I got to the check-in area, and all of a sudden, people started fleeing away and leaving bags within a five-meter (16-foot) radius," he told YNet.

"The worry was that someone was firing bullets, so I realized that I, too, needed to go, so I dashed towards the check-in, tripped over a conveyor belt... and flew six meters."

Ben Gurion Airport, located just outside of Tel Aviv, is regarded as having one of the world's highest levels of security.

Before arriving at the terminal and check-in area, vehicles and passengers must pass through security checks.

Following a string of devastating incidents around the country in recent weeks, Israel is likewise on high alert.