Tens of thousands of Israelis are stranded overseas amid Iran war

Tens of thousands of Israelis are stranded overseas after the Israeli Transportation Ministry closed the country’s airspace to civilian flights on Saturday morning, following a joint U.S.–Israel military offensive targeting Iran’s top leaders and military sites. Authorities also report that more than 33,000 foreign tourists are unable to leave Israel.

The Iranian regime, in response to the offensive attack, launched missile and drone attacks against Israel, U.S. bases in the region, and Arab Gulf states. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, 74 incoming flights were canceled on Saturday and another 191 on Sunday, affecting around 42,000 passengers, including roughly 35,000 Israeli nationals.

Israel announced that they will authorize rescue flights as soon as Israel’s airspace reopens, which could be on Monday at the earliest but is ultimately linked to the security situation.

Naomi Burnham, a resident of Modi'in in central Israel, is one of thousands of Israelis who were unable to return home after the war with Iran erupted. She traveled with one of her children to London, where two of her other children are currently living.

“Now we’re stuck here,” Burnham told The Times of Israel. She tried to book a flight back home with El Al for her and her son but was unsuccessful. She said, “It’s not unpleasant not to have to run to a bunker, but I want to be with my people.” She said her family in Israel spent the day running to bomb shelters due to the Iranian missile attacks on the population centers.

“It’s the anxiety of not being at home,” Burnham said. “It’s nerve-racking, and I don’t like being outside of Israel when this is going on,” she added.

It is currently unclear when Israeli authorities will reopen the country’s airspace for civilian flights. At least 10 Israeli civilians have been killed from Iranian missile attacks.

“As of now, we’re just telling people to stay calm, stay in touch, and follow the news,” explained Mark Feldman, CEO and founder of the Ziontours travel agency in Jerusalem. “It’s early, and we just have to wait until we have more information.”

Israelis and foreign tourists were previously able to travel through neighboring countries, but Jordan has since closed its airspace, and Egypt has raised its aviation alert level.

“The only possible option might be renting a private yacht from Cyprus,” Feldman said but said it is not a recommended solution. Traveling to Israel via Athens, Greece and Larnaca, Cyprus could become a viable option if the conflict continues for an extended period.