Israel launched airlift to bring its citizens home
Israel has launched a phased airlift operation today to bring its citizens back to their homeland (prior to that, the airspace over the country was closed), Reuters reports
The first rescue flight operated by national carrier El Al landed at Tel Aviv Airport early on June 18th, with passengers from Cyprus on board.
According to estimates by the Israeli Transport Ministry, more than 50,000 Israelis have stranded after airlines stopped flights to the country, and these people are now trying to return home.
"Foreign citizens have also been fleeing Iran overland. China started evacuating its citizens from Tehran to Turkmenistan by overland bus on Tuesday. Hundreds of other foreign nationals fled to neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan," the publication reads.
El Al said repatriation flights have already been scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest, and London. Smaller carriers Arkia and Israir will also help transport people.
While many Israelis want to return home, about 38,000 tourists are stranded in Israel, with much of the country in lockdown, and all its museums and holy sites closed.
