JERUSALEM – A special emergency flight touched down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, successfully bringing back Israelis stuck overseas due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. This was part of a coordinated government effort to return its citizens safely. 

At the start of last week, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis found themselves abroad when Israeli fighter jets initiated airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night. The objective was to dismantle Iran’s nuclear facilities and its arsenal of conventional weaponry.

In response, Israel promptly shut its airspace, suspending all incoming flights. Nonetheless, many individuals, desperate to return home amid the barrage of deadly ballistic missile attacks that have caused significant destruction and loss of life, have resorted to unconventional means to make their way back. 

“I was supposed to fly back on Friday for the wedding this week,” he said, describing how he managed to reach Budapest, Hungary, but was now waiting for a rescue flight. 

Realizing her father would not make it back in time, however, his daughter decided to postpone her nuptials until next month.

“I’m not stressed now, but I still want to be in Israel, I want to be with my family,” he said, adding, “God willing, in July, I will get to celebrate twice – the wedding and Israel’s victory over Iran.”