Tens of thousands of Israelis remain stranded abroad with little clarity on when they might return, as Israeli airspace stays closed following the country’s military strike on Iran.
Israel’s Airports Authority on Sunday warned citizens overseas not to travel to regional hubs such as Larnaca, Cyprus, or Athens, Greece, hoping to catch a flight home. “There is no recommendation for Israelis abroad to travel to these destinations at this stage,” the authority said in a statement titled “Important Clarification.”
“Even once flights resume, operations will be limited to minimize risks and ensure safety,” the statement added. “Travelers should expect delays of several days before they can return.”
The announcement followed comments from Shmuel Zakai, head of Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, who told Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday that it will take “weeks, not days” before all Israelis can be brought back.
Israeli airspace and Ben-Gurion International Airport were closed Thursday night after the military launched a strike against Iran. Officials estimate that more than 100,000 Israelis have been left abroad since then.
In a joint statement, Israel’s Transportation and Foreign Ministries confirmed that all civilian flights have been halted. The ministries said flights will resume only after defense officials grant approval. Updates on resumption plans will be shared through media channels and online.
Transportation Ministry spokesperson Dudu Sassi said the process will be gradual and contingent on lulls in missile fire from Iran. “Home Front Command itself cannot give us a timetable,” he said. “Even with approval, it won’t be a matter of one or two days.”
Sassi said authorities are preparing to operate emergency return flights from international hubs like Paphos, Larnaca and Athens.
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On Saturday night, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israel had relocated all aircraft in advance of the Iran strike to protect them. “The planes are now ready to bring Israelis home once the skies reopen and security officials give the green light,” she said.
Regev added that flight crews had already been deployed but stressed that any return would be gradual. “We will not bring everyone back at once,” she said. “This is a complex mission carried out with the Airports Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Population Authority.” She said the operation could begin as early as Monday, pending security approval.