More than 20,000 Israelis return since start of Iran war, ministry says
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An Israeli soldier greeting loved ones who returned to Israel from Italy on March 5, on one of the first flights since Israel's airspace reopened amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Over 20,000 Israelis returned since the Iran air war began Feb 28; 120,000 more seek repatriation. Airspace reopened March 5 for limited incoming flights.
- Israelis arrived via land and flights to neighbouring countries; direct Tel Aviv flights started. Incoming flights are limited to one per hour due to missile fire.
- Outgoing flights from Ben Gurion resume March 8 with 50-passenger limits. Airlines halted ticket sales March 15-21. Minister Miri Regev vowed safe repatriation.
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JERUSALEM – More than 20,000 Israelis have returned to the country since the start of the Iran air war that began on Feb 28, the Transportation Ministry said on March 5, adding that about 120,000 more Israelis currently abroad are seeking to come home.
Israel began to open its airspace on March 5 and allowed a handful of flights to land at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
Israel’s airspace was closed on Feb 28 at the start of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran,
The ministry said its data show 120,000 Israelis are currently abroad who wish to return to Israel and that the operation to repatriate them would likely take seven to 10 days.
Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said nearly 300,000 Israelis have flown abroad in the last three months and airlines have said tens of thousands of customers seek to return.
The Israeli Transportation Ministry added that it was working to expand options for arriving in and departing from Israel by air, land and sea crossings.
Most Israelis have so far arrived in Israel via land crossings into the southern Red Sea resort city of Eilat.
Israeli airlines have been operating repatriation flights from European cities to Taba, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan – adjacent to Eilat.
These flights will continue but Israel’s four airlines – flag carrier El Al, Israir, Arkia and Air Haifa – have begun flights to Tel Aviv. While airspace is being gradually opened, only incoming flights are currently allowed, at a rate of just one landing per hour due to frequent missile fire from Iran.
“We are doing everything to return every Israeli home safely,” said Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev, previously a brigadier-general in the military.
“With the opening of airspace, the return of Israelis to Israel began, and we continue to work around the clock together with all parties to expand the options for returning and leaving the country in accordance with security restrictions,” she said.
Earlier, the first planes to arrive at Ben Gurion were Israir and Arkia flights from Rome, and an El Al flight from Athens. Flights from other cities in Europe, as well as from the United States and Asia, are also planned.
Ben Gurion said outgoing flights would resume on March 8, but initially would be limited to 50 passengers per flight.
Israel’s airlines have halted ticket sales between March 15 and March 21 to allow customers whose flights were cancelled to be accommodated when the airspace opens. REUTERS
