In brief
Reports indicate that between 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis are now stranded overseas as the nation navigates a renewed conflict.
The Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was nearly deserted on Friday as flights were abruptly canceled following Israel's surprise military strike on Iran. The attack necessitated the immediate closure of airspace to civilian planes, leading to tens of thousands of Israelis finding themselves stranded abroad. Travelers are expressing their anxiety and desperation via social media, seeking assistance as they find themselves cut off from their homes. Estimates suggest that between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis are currently overseas, with no clear timeline for their return. In response to this situation, the Israeli Defense Ministry has authorized the initiation of rescue flights, although these are expected to take up to three days to commence. The closure of airspace comes as many Israelis also look to escape through land borders with Jordan and Egypt. However, the National Security Council has warned against these routes due to heightened security risks in the area. Travelers have been advised to await further instructions from the Ministry of Transportation, which is currently coordinating with airlines to facilitate the return of citizens. Rachel Brettler, who was vacationing in Santorini with her partner, described the unsettling feeling of being away from home while receiving missile alerts on their phones. Many travelers had left Israel prior to the military action, and the ongoing fallout from a previous conflict following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, had already severely disrupted travel to and from the country. As the situation develops, Israelis abroad are urged to register their information on a designated digital platform as efforts are underway to bring them back home amid these challenging circumstances.
