- Israeli news outlet Haaretz has reported that Israel has barred its citizens from leaving the country by plane out of fear that it could be a major security risk.
- Israeli Transportation Minister says that the government is working to return 100,000 Israelis stranded in other countries after Ben Gurion airport was closed since Israel’s initiation of war against Iran.
The Israeli government barred its citizens from flying out of the country after instructing domestic airlines not to allow them to leave.
Haaretz reported that the decision stems from concerns by security officials about the risk of overcrowding at Ben-Gurion Airport and the risk of mass casualties due to Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been closed ‘until further notice.’
Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev said: “We will not approve Israelis’ departures abroad at this stage.”
“Those currently leaving for abroad are the people who came to visit the country — diplomats, tourists, and the like.”
The minister also said that Israel is working on an operation to return more than 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad.
In order to prevent and minimise harm, Regev said that the operation would be done in a phased and planned manner and would not happen overnight.
Israeli National Unity Chair Benny Gantz voiced strong criticism on X of Regev’s remarks and said: “Minister Regev, an elderly woman waiting for surgery; a young woman whose husband died in the war travelled for a few days and left a 4-year-old child in Israel – these are just two cases out of thousands of stories of people who need to return home.
“Your job, and that of the government, is not to tell them what to do but to get them home safely.”
The decision comes after Israel launched its long-planned war with Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military leadership and civilian infrastructure.
Although Iran has not yet attacked any Israeli airports in retaliation, it was reported by Israeli media yesterday that Israel had broken the silent perception of leaving airports untouched by attacking Iran’s Mashhad Airport.
The Israeli attack could now make Israeli airports a target, increasing the risk to Israeli lives.
