An empty departure terminal at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, 16 June 2025. Photo: VCG

Israel's Defense Ministry on Monday announced that rescue flights for Israelis stranded abroad will begin within 72 hours at the latest, Israel National News reported. 

According to the report, the primary departure points for flights to Israel will include Athens, Larnaca, New York, and Bangkok. Israel's airspace will reopen with advance notice to the public just six hours before the first flight. An estimated 150,000 Israelis are currently abroad and unable to return.

The Israeli Defense Ministry said that Israel's National Emergency Authority will determine the boarding priority for passengers, although the criteria have yet to be published, per Israel National News. 

The primary focus will be on returning essential personnel critical to Israel's security. These will be inbound flights only — no departures from Israel to international destinations will be permitted.

Israel's Transport Minister Miri Regev announced Monday that private airlines and the Israeli Mano Maritime shipping company will be mobilized to bring between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis stranded across the globe home by air or by sea, the Jerusalem Post reported.

According to Reuters, Israel's El Al Airlines announced on Sunday that it has suspended all flights until at least June 19, with additional cancellations to many European cities extending to June 23, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Global Times