Above photo: AFP.
The IRGC and Iranian military have vowed an escalation of missile strikes.
In response to Israel’s brutal war against Iran.
About 150,000 Israelis are stranded abroad due to Tel Aviv’s war on Iran and the shutdown of all flights caused by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes against Israel.
Israeli authorities have launched a repatriation plan that has also barred Israelis from leaving. Rescue flights are not expected to start before 19 June at the earliest.
The new plan has been launched by Israel’s Transportation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority to bring back the Israelis.
“The operation to return Israeli citizens residing abroad may begin toward the end of the week, and perhaps not until the beginning of next week. We are still studying the enemy, the patterns, to understand the ritual of the threats,” said the CEO of Israir, Uri Sirkis.
The Israeli airline noted that once the government and defense establishment approve the rescue flights, they can be booked online.
“The flights will only be operated for returning Israelis and Israelis [or any other passengers] will not be allowed to leave the country at this stage,” the CEO added.
Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev also confirmed the plan, dubbed Operation Safe Return, in a briefing, telling Israelis, “There is nothing to worry about.”
However, the plan has faced criticism. Oz Berlowitz, the CEO of the Arkia airline, said, “At this rate, the return of all Israelis could take many weeks and even longer,” and called it “far from providing a real solution to the situation.”
Arkia said later that it was setting up a special repatriation flight schedule.
The repatriation plan and order to bar Israelis from leaving come as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and military have been issuing urgent warnings calling for the evacuation of all settlers and an intensification of missile attacks, in response to the deadly US-backed war Tel Aviv launched against Tehran on 13 June.
Iran’s operations have so far inflicted widespread damage across Haifa and Tel Aviv. Dozens have been killed, and around 600 injured.
“The scope of the devastating response by brave Iranian fighters will cover all areas of the occupied territories,” an Iranian army spokesperson said on 16 June, warning that “real operations” have only just begun.
“We advise you to leave [Tel Aviv] immediately for your safety and security – and never return,” the IRGC said in a statement earlier on Monday.
Israelis flee Iranian strikes on ‘low-profile’ yacht trips to Cyprus
The escape efforts come as authorities have banned flights out of Israel and are making plans to repatriate Israelis abroad.
Hundreds of Israelis are scrambling to flee Israel via boats to Cyprus, an Israeli newspaper reported on 17 June, as Iranian missile strikes intensify and Tel Aviv vows to escalate its brutal war against the Islamic Republic.
“The marina in Herzliya has recently taken on the atmosphere of a makeshift terminal. Starting at seven in the morning, people begin to arrive – mostly alone, some in couples, a few with families – dragging trolleys and scanning the docks for the yacht scheduled to carry them to Cyprus, and from there, to anywhere but here,” Haaretz newspaper wrote.
According to Facebook groups, “hundreds” of Israelis are attempting to leave in this way.
In Herzliya and other marinas such as Haifa and Ashkelon, owners of small yachts have been organizing trips with groups of up to 10 passengers.
Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority has not yet been able to determine the scale of the phenomenon, according to Haaretz.
There are at least 100 people who have prepared to set sail. Some do not live in Israel, while others are meeting up with family members abroad. “Only a few admit they are fleeing the threat of Iranian missile attacks.”
“None are willing to speak openly, and almost all say they’re leaving because they have no choice,” the report says.
“We’re tired of the missiles,” an Israeli preparing to set sail is quoted as saying.
About 150,000 Israelis are stranded abroad due to Tel Aviv’s war on Iran and the shutdown of all flights caused by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes against Israel.
Israeli authorities have launched a repatriation plan to bring back Israelis abroad. Rescue flights are not expected to start before 19 June at the earliest.
Authorities have also barred Israelis from flying out of Israel during wartime.
Israel launched a massive military campaign against the Islamic Republic early on 13 June, declaring that its goal is to destroy the Iranian nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. Several top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists have been killed, as well as hundreds of civilians, including dozens of women and children.
Over 220 people have been killed in Iran to date, mostly civilians, including at least 70 women and children, as confirmed by local reports and Iranian state media.
In response, Iran launched Operation True Promise 3 – which, since Friday evening, has seen multiple Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks target sites across Israel.
Iranian missiles have targeted Israeli bases such as Glilot and Nevatim, as well as oil pipelines in Haifa and an Israeli Defense Ministry building in Tel Aviv.
Recent ballistic missile attacks on Israel have caused unprecedented destruction across Tel Aviv and Haifa. Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured.
Tehran has vowed to intensify its strikes if Israel continues the war.
