June 16, 2025, 7:00 a.m. ET
The Ben Gurion airport serving Tel Aviv saw a sharp decline in activity on Friday following Israel's surprise military assault on Iran, which led to the abrupt closure of its airspace to civilian flights. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Israelis traveling abroad now find themselves marooned, seeking assistance in navigating the complex and tense political situation.
Among the stranded Pakistanis is an individual in Berlin running low on medication and two sisters stuck in a Barcelona hotel without a place to stay. Social media platforms and Facebook groups have become hubs for frantic requests for help, indicating the significant number of people impacted by the sudden closure of Israel’s airspace.
Israeli authorities estimate that between 100,000 to 150,000 citizens could be stranded, although exact numbers remain unclear. The Ministry of Defense has mentioned the possibility of rescue flights commencing on Monday, but initial flights may take up to three days to launch. The absence of regular ferry services, despite Israel’s Mediterranean coastline proximity to destinations like Cyprus, has left citizens with limited options for returning home.
Meanwhile, travelers are considering attempting to exit the country via land borders with Jordan and Egypt. However, the Israeli National Security Council has warned citizens against this method due to heightened security concerns stemming from current regional tensions.
The National Security Council has advised citizens abroad to stay updated through the Ministry of Transportation, which, along with the Israel Airports Authority, is collaborating with airlines to facilitate the return of its nationals, although this could take weeks, if not longer.
In light of the sudden travel restrictions, Rachel Brettler and her partner, who had headed to Santorini for a vacation, expressed their disbelief upon waking to news of the military action. As they received missile alerts on their phones, the unsettling reality of being away from home during turbulent times sunk in.
Disruptions in air travel have been a recurring issue, particularly following the Hamas-led attack that initiated the current war in Gaza back on October 7, 2023, leading to many international airlines halting services to Israel.
As the situation develops, stranded travelers are expected to remain in limbo, awaiting further communications from authorities while grappling with uncertainty from both home and abroad.
The Ben Gurion airport serving Tel Aviv saw a sharp decline in activity on Friday following Israel's surprise military assault on Iran, which led to the abrupt closure of its airspace to civilian flights. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Israelis traveling abroad now find themselves marooned, seeking assistance in navigating the complex and tense political situation.
Among the stranded Pakistanis is an individual in Berlin running low on medication and two sisters stuck in a Barcelona hotel without a place to stay. Social media platforms and Facebook groups have become hubs for frantic requests for help, indicating the significant number of people impacted by the sudden closure of Israel’s airspace.
Israeli authorities estimate that between 100,000 to 150,000 citizens could be stranded, although exact numbers remain unclear. The Ministry of Defense has mentioned the possibility of rescue flights commencing on Monday, but initial flights may take up to three days to launch. The absence of regular ferry services, despite Israel’s Mediterranean coastline proximity to destinations like Cyprus, has left citizens with limited options for returning home.
Meanwhile, travelers are considering attempting to exit the country via land borders with Jordan and Egypt. However, the Israeli National Security Council has warned citizens against this method due to heightened security concerns stemming from current regional tensions.
The National Security Council has advised citizens abroad to stay updated through the Ministry of Transportation, which, along with the Israel Airports Authority, is collaborating with airlines to facilitate the return of its nationals, although this could take weeks, if not longer.
In light of the sudden travel restrictions, Rachel Brettler and her partner, who had headed to Santorini for a vacation, expressed their disbelief upon waking to news of the military action. As they received missile alerts on their phones, the unsettling reality of being away from home during turbulent times sunk in.
Disruptions in air travel have been a recurring issue, particularly following the Hamas-led attack that initiated the current war in Gaza back on October 7, 2023, leading to many international airlines halting services to Israel.
As the situation develops, stranded travelers are expected to remain in limbo, awaiting further communications from authorities while grappling with uncertainty from both home and abroad.
