Thousands of Israelis stranded abroad as Tel Aviv blocks evacuation flights
About 150,000 Israelis are stranded abroad due to the ongoing war with Iran and the shutdown of all flights caused by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes against Israel.
Israeli authorities have launched a repatriation plan that has also barred Israelis from leaving. Rescue flights are not expected to start before 19 June at the earliest.
The new plan has been launched by Israel’s Transportation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority to bring back the Israelis.
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“The operation to return Israeli citizens residing abroad may begin toward the end of the week, and perhaps not until the beginning of next week. We are still studying the enemy, the patterns, to understand the ritual of the threats,” said the CEO of Israir, Uri Sirkis.
The Israeli airline noted that once the government and defence establishment approve the rescue flights, they can be booked online.
“The flights will only be operated for returning Israelis and Israelis [or any other passengers] will not be allowed to leave the country at this stage,” the CEO added.
Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev also confirmed the plan, dubbed Operation Safe Return, in a briefing, telling Israelis, “There is nothing to worry about.”
However, the plan has faced criticism. Oz Berlowitz, the CEO of the Arkia airline, said, “At this rate, the return of all Israelis could take many weeks and even longer,” and called it “far from providing a real solution to the situation.”
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Arkia said later that it was setting up a special repatriation flight schedule.
The repatriation plan and order to bar Israelis from leaving come as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and military have been issuing urgent warnings calling for the evacuation of all settlers and an intensification of missile attacks, in response to the deadly US-backed war Tel Aviv launched against Tehran on 13 June.
Iran’s operations have so far inflicted widespread damage across Haifa and Tel Aviv. Dozens have been killed, and around 600 injured.
“The scope of the devastating response by brave Iranian fighters will cover all areas of the occupied territories,” an Iranian army spokesperson said on 16 June, warning that “real operations” have only just begun.
“We advise you to leave (Tel Aviv) immediately for your safety and security – and never return,” the IRGC said in a statement earlier on Monday.
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