Latest news with #MiriRegev
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
First boat carrying 1,500 stranded Israelis docks in Israel: army
The Israeli military 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 military said in a statement. "The ship was secured (during its journey) by an Israeli Navy missile boat", the military added. After Israel's airports were closed and outbound flights cancelled following Israel's attack on Iran last Friday, an estimated 100,000-150,000 Israelis found themselves stranded abroad, according to transport ministry figures. Around 5,000 returned by plane on Wednesday and Thursday, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev said on Thursday, adding that double the number of flights were expected on Friday. National carrier El Al said that it would operate "recovery flights" from Europe, the United States, and Thailand.
Al Arabiya
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
First boat carrying 1,500 stranded Israelis docks in Israel: Army
The Israeli military 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 military said in a statement. 'The ship was secured (during its journey) by an Israeli Navy missile boat,' the military added. After Israel's airports were closed and outbound flights canceled following Israel's attack on Iran last Friday, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis found themselves stranded abroad, according to transport ministry figures. Around 5,000 returned by plane on Wednesday and Thursday, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev said on Thursday, adding that double the number of flights were expected on Friday. National carrier El Al said that it would operate 'recovery flights' from Europe, the United States, and Thailand.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after strike on Iran
People take shelter in an underground metro station in Ramat Gan as a precaution against potential missile attacks from Iran. (AP pic) TEL AVIV : Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. 'We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home,' Transportation minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. 'We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely,' she added. Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure the arriving passengers exited the airport quickly. They were shuttled to their parked vehicles or transported via train and bus to city centres nationwide. The operation is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and security assessments, with an emphasis on the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft, a spokesperson for the airports authority said. Relatives were advised to avoid travelling to airports for security reasons. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose 'Crown Iris' ship carries 2,000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel begins repatriation of citizens stranded by Iran strikes
Tel Aviv: Israel is repatriating tens of thousands of its citizens stranded abroad after a flare-up in fighting with Iran, deploying emergency airlifts and ferries. Authorities are rationing flights as a precaution, wary that aircraft could be threatened by incoming missile barrages. The first planeload landed Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport , Israel's main international gateway, bringing Israelis from Cyprus, where many had travelled from other locations to find an opportunity to return home. Two cruise ships are also under contract to bring people from the island, Transport Minister Miri Regev said. Israel says as many as 150,000 of its citizens were travelling abroad when it launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military targets on Friday, triggering an unprecedented exchange of fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo The rescue mission could take weeks at the current rate of return - 2,500 people a day by air, and around the same number by sea. When the tickets were offered online on Tuesday, they were grabbed within minutes, Israeli media outlets said.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- 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
