People who were on vacation in Israel and due to the situation are returning to their countries of residence, have said that the situation there is frightening and dangerous.
This morning, several hundred people of Jewish origin, residents of other countries, who were on vacation in Israel, arrived at the port of Larnaca by cruise ship and efforts are being made to find flights to return to their countries of residence. Meanwhile, Israelis who were in other countries or in Cyprus are also awaiting flights to be able to repatriate.
There are enhanced security measures at the airport and most armed police officers are in the departures’ area of the airport, where many Israelis wait to return to their country today.
This morning, around 1,500 people of Jewish origin from America, Canada and Australia arrived at the port of Larnaca on the cruise ship “Crown Iris”. They were then transferred to Larnaca airport to get a flight back to their countries.
It is noted that despite the fact that there is a large number of Israelis returning to their country, as well as tourists, the situation at the airport is manageable and everything runs smoothly. Today, 13 special flights are scheduled to depart for Israel, 9 to Haifa and 4 to Tel Aviv, while the first flight had departed around 5 in the morning.
Speaking to the press, a passenger named Neil, who is from the US, said he was in Israel on holidays to see his family and added that because of the situation he was forced to leave and return to the United States.
He also said that during the day, the situation in Israel is good, however, when ballistic missiles start being launched from Iran, people are forced to go to shelters to protect themselves.
An other passenger, named Christa, who comes from Minnesota, US, said she went to Israel with a group for vacation. When the war with Iran began, she added, they were forced to leave on Tuesday afternoon by a cruise ship, arrived this morning at the port of Larnaca and were then transferred to the airport to return back to the US on a connecting flight. She said that during the bombings, all the people in the hotel were forced to go to a shelter for protection.
( Source: CNA)
