Latest news with #OperationSafeReturn
Daily Tribune
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Israel to reopen airspace at 1100 GMT for repatriation flights: official
AFP | Jerusalem, Undefined Israel is to temporarily reopen its airspace for flights from 1100 GMT on Sunday as it repatriates thousands of citizens left stranded overseas by its war with Iran, the country's airport authority said. Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv "will open for landings from 02:00 pm - 8:00pm as part of Operation Safe Return", the authority said in a statement, referring to the government's efforts to bring home citizens. According to the Israeli Ministry of Transport, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stranded abroad when Israel closed its airspace following the launch of a massive bombing campaign against Iran on June 13. Tehran has respond with daily barrages of missiles and drones. Sharon Kedmi, head of the Israeli airport authority, said Sunday that flights to Israel to repatriate citizens were set to gradually resume. "Ben Gurion airport is prepared to resume flights to Israel. The return will take place gradually, with a focus on the safety of passengers, flights crews and aircraft, and prior cooperation with security services," he was quoted as saying. A first boat carrying 1,500 Israelis from Cyprus docked in the Israeli port of Ashdod on Friday. The eastern Mediterranean island has become a major transit point where thousands of Israelis have gathered either awaiting repatriation or having left the country.
Al Arabiya
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israel to reopen airspace at 1100 GMT for repatriation flights: Official
Israel is to temporarily reopen its airspace for flights from 1100 GMT on Sunday as it repatriates thousands of citizens left stranded overseas by its war with Iran, the country's airport authority said. Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv 'will open for landings from 02:00 pm - 8:00pm as part of Operation Safe Return,' the authority said in a statement, referring to the government's efforts to bring home citizens. According to the Israeli Ministry of Transport, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stranded abroad when Israel closed its airspace following the launch of a massive bombing campaign against Iran on June 13. Tehran has respond with daily barrages of missiles and drones. Sharon Kedmi, head of the Israeli airport authority, said Sunday that flights to Israel to repatriate citizens were set to gradually resume. 'Ben Gurion airport is prepared to resume flights to Israel. The return will take place gradually, with a focus on the safety of passengers, flights crews and aircraft, and prior cooperation with security services,' he was quoted as saying. A first boat carrying 1,500 Israelis from Cyprus docked in the Israeli port of Ashdod on Friday. The eastern Mediterranean island has become a major transit point where thousands of Israelis have gathered either awaiting repatriation or having left the country.
LBCI
20-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
First boat carrying 1,500 stranded Israelis docks in Israel: Army
Israel's army said that the first boat carrying Israelis stranded abroad due to the Iran-Israel war arrived Friday with 1,500 citizens aboard. "As part of the Ministry of Transportation's Operation 'Safe Return,' a passenger ship bringing Israelis from the Port of Limassol in Cyprus docked today... at the Ashdod Port with over 1,500 Israelis on board," the army said in a statement. AFP
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Israelis stranded abroad start returning home amid conflict with Iran
A rescue flight from Cyprus marked the start of Israel's Operation Safe Return, as thousands remain stranded amid ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran. Israelis disembark a bus after they were flown back to Israel in a special flight, on June 18, 2025 in Tel Aviv. Picture: Gil Cohen-Magen / AFP A first aircraft bringing home Israelis stranded abroad by flight cancellations resulting from the conflict with Iran touched down on Wednesday, with returnees expressing relief to be back on Israeli soil. A statement from the airports authority said 'the first flight of Operation Safe Return' landed at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday, with national carrier El Al bringing Israelis home from Larnaca in Cyprus. Thousands stranded abroad Transport Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that between 100 000 and 150 000 Israelis have been stranded abroad, as Israel and Iran traded deadly fire in their most intense confrontation ever. Despite the nightly volleys of Iranian missile fire at Israel since Friday, hotelier Yaakov Bogen, 66, said he would rather be at home with family than abroad. 'I belong here, and unfortunately we get used to these fights and war, but we prefer to be here, to support as much as we can,' he told AFP in Tel Aviv after landing back in Israel. Travellers with suitcases disembarked a bus in the coastal hub, after Israel's airports authority urged the public not to order taxis or greet arriving passengers at Ben Gurion Airport due to 'the current security situation'. 'This is home' Stylist Tali Gehorsam, 40, expressed relief to be back after her flight was redirected to Cyprus half an hour before landing in the early hours of Friday. ALSO READ: Iran media reports 'massive explosion' after Israeli drone strike on refinery 'This is home. There's no other place,' she said. 'To be overseas and to watch the news is not a nice feeling.' After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, the long-range blitz began Friday when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to respond with missiles and drones. Since Friday, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Damage, trauma and reunions Ori Abadi, a 35-year-old Tel Aviv resident, said he had family in two areas of central Israel that have been hit by recent deadly missile strikes. 'I know that both of the apartments got damaged. It really hurts, it's really worrying and I'm really glad to be with my family now,' he said. Israel's transport ministry said all of Israel's commercial aircraft had been sent abroad to prevent damage during the air war with Iran. Rescue flights After suspending flights last week, El Al said it was 'preparing rescue flights' starting Wednesday with planes departing from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. The low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also announced special flights this week to repatriate Israelis. A statement from the airports authority said Wednesday that the return operation 'is being managed in stages based on the level of risk and current security assessments, with a strong emphasis on the safety of passengers, aircrews and aircraft'. NOW READ: Israel strikes Iran: what we know
Khaleej Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Israel begins flying home citizens stranded abroad by Iran conflict
A first aircraft bringing home Israelis stranded abroad by flight cancellations resulting from the conflict with Iran touched down on Wednesday, with returnees expressing relief to be back on Israeli soil. A statement from the airports authority said "the first flight of Operation Safe Return" landed at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday, with national carrier El Al bringing Israelis home from Larnaca in Cyprus. Transport Minister Miri Regev said on Tuesday that between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis have been stranded abroad, as Israel and Iran traded deadly fire in their most intense confrontation ever. Despite the nightly volleys of Iranian missile fire at Israel since Friday, hotelier Yaakov Bogen, 66, said he would rather be at home with family than abroad. "I belong here, and unfortunately we get used to these fights and war, but we prefer to be here, to support as much as we can," he told AFP in Tel Aviv after landing back in Israel. Travellers with suitcases disembarked a bus in the coastal hub, after Israel's airports authority urged the public not to order taxis or greet arriving passengers at Ben Gurion Airport due to "the current security situation". Stylist Tali Gehorsam, 40, expressed relief to be back after her flight was redirected to Cyprus half an hour before landing in the early hours of Friday. "This is home. There's no other place," she said. "To be overseas and to watch the news is not a nice feeling." After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, the long-range blitz began on Friday when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to respond with missiles and drones. Since Friday, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Ori Abadi, a 35-year-old Tel Aviv resident, said he had family in two areas of central Israel that have been hit by recent deadly missile strikes. "I know that both of the apartments got damaged. It really hurts, it's really worrying and I'm really glad to be with my family now," he said. Israel's transport ministry said all of Israel's commercial aircraft had been sent abroad to prevent damage during the air war with Iran. After suspending flights last week, El Al said it was "preparing rescue flights" starting Wednesday with planes departing from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. The low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also announced special flights this week to repatriate Israelis. A statement from the airports authority said on Wednesday that the return operation "is being managed in stages based on the level of risk and current security assessments, with a strong emphasis on the safety of passengers, aircrews and aircraft".
