El Al, Israel's national airline, is set to operate recovery flights for thousands of Israelis stranded abroad due to the closure of the country's airspace amid escalating tensions with Iran.
El Al Airline Announces Rescue Flights for Stranded Israelis Amid Ongoing Conflict
El Al Airline Announces Rescue Flights for Stranded Israelis Amid Ongoing Conflict
As conflict escalates between Israel and Iran, El Al has secured approval to ferry thousands of stranded Israelis home from European cities.
In a significant development during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, El Al Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will begin taking home Israeli travelers stranded overseas following governmental approval. With the airspace closed to commercial flights since Friday, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis who had traveled abroad prior to the conflict are currently unable to return.
Starting Wednesday, El Al will operate flights from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris, beginning the repatriation efforts on the fifth day of intense hostilities. The airline confirmed that flights are already fully booked, prioritizing passengers according to the dates of their original canceled flights and urgent medical needs.
The ongoing conflict has led the Israeli National Security Council to issue an advisory against returning through Jordan or Egypt due to security concerns. The situation remains precarious, with regular commercial flights from Israel grounded until at least Monday, further complicating travel routes for stranded citizens.
In addition to the El Al flights, some Israelis will also return via a cruise ship coordinated by Israeli company Mano Maritime that is set to transport passengers from Limassol, Cyprus, to Israel. This ship can accommodate 2,000 passengers, making the approximately 16-hour journey under the guidance of Israel’s transportation ministry.
Amid these developments, many Israelis abroad are weighing their options, with some opting to remain outside Israel due to escalating violence and civilian casualties. Reports indicate at least 24 fatalities and around 600 injuries in Israel, while Iranian casualties from Israeli airstrikes exceed 200 with approximately 1,400 injured.
As the conflict unfolds, the plight of stranded citizens underscores the dire implications of the ongoing crisis, not just for those in the conflict zones but for families waiting for their loved ones to return. The dual approach of commercial flights and maritime transportation reflects Israel’s urgent need to address the humanitarian aspect of its current geopolitical dilemmas.
