In brief
El Al, Israel's primary airline, has been authorized to commence flights to bring home between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad due to the closure of Israeli airspace following the ongoing hostilities with Iran. Starting Wednesday, recovery flights will operate from Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, and Larnaca, Cyprus, on the fifth day of the violent engagements.
El Al announced that the flights would prioritize individuals based on the timing of their original flight cancellations and urgent medical needs. Since Friday morning, all commercial flights have been suspended, leaving many Israelis who were traveling outside the country during the conflict unable to return. The Israeli National Security Council has advised against crossing borders via Jordan or Egypt, citing security concerns.In addition to flight operations, some travelers may return via a cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, departing from Limassol, Cyprus. This ship can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers and is expected to make multiple trips based on demand, although the duration of the journey can take approximately 16 hours.As the situation remains precarious, some Israelis are contemplating staying abroad, given the rising tensions and civilian toll observed. Reports indicate that at least 24 people in Israel have lost their lives, with about 600 injured, while strikes in Iran have resulted in over 200 fatalities and 1,400 injuries. For further updates on this situation and more live coverage, stay tuned to PulseWire.news.
