In brief
With the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran leading to the closure of Israel's airspace, El Al Airlines has announced plans to facilitate recovery flights for thousands of stranded Israeli citizens in various European cities starting this week.
El Al Airlines has received governmental approval to initiate recovery flights for Israelis stranded in Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, and Larnaca, Cyprus, amidst escalating tensions with Iran. The announcement was made on Tuesday, marking the fifth day of severe hostilities between the two nations. According to El Al's statement, the airline is preparing to operate flights based on the framework and guidelines set by the Ministry of Transportation. However, these flights are already fully booked, as the airline prioritizes assignments for travelers based on the original cancellation dates of their flights and urgent medical needs. Since the Israeli airspace was closed for commercial flights on Friday, it is estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis, who were abroad at the onset of hostilities, have found themselves unable to return home. Regularly scheduled flights are on hold until at least Monday, and no outbound flights from Israel to international destinations are currently available. The Israeli National Security Council has warned citizens against crossing borders into neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt due to security concerns.In addition to the El Al flights, some stranded Israeli tourists will be able to return home via a cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, departing from Limassol, Cyprus. This ship, capable of carrying 2,000 passengers, is expected to set sail on Thursday and will embark on subsequent trips to facilitate further repatriation efforts, coordinated with Israel's transportation ministry. While many are eager to return, a number of Israeli travelers are contemplating remaining abroad as indicators suggest that the conflict may persist, with civilian casualties tragically rising in both Israel and Iran. Reports indicate that at least 24 people have died in Israel and about 600 injured, while over 200 fatalities and 1,400 injuries have been reported in Iran due to Israeli airstrikes. As the situation develops, the fate of stranded citizens remains uncertain, emphasizing the implications of the current geopolitical tensions.
