How did Isreal Rescue Citizens During the War?

The rescue operations focus on evacuating Israelis from cities and countries greatly impacted by the war. The intensity of the war, along with Iranian missile fire continuously targeting Israeli cities, has led to an increase in civilians stranded across international borders, as 35,000 travelers have been brought back on El Al (https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890160).

In cooperation with foreign nations and airlines, Israel has begun special evacuation flights, while David Ben-Gurion Airport remains under strict security and air traffic guidelines. These flights have landed in 22 major global hubs across Europe, North America, and Asia, including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Phuket, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Larnaca, Milan, and Munich (https://www.facebook.com/ELALGlobal/videos/el-als-first-recovery-flight-landed-at-ben-gurion-airport-a-short-time-ago-marki/918097481176316/).

The implementation of inbound-only flights carrying Israeli citizens has led to a pattern of other countries rescuing their citizens. For example, the United States and the United Kingdom have begun rescue flights, seeking to bring thousands of citizens back home.

As Israel remains under fire from IRGC drones and rockets, flights have to be rerouted or put into a holding pattern, but with the professional help of air traffic control, Israelis return home safely on Arkia, Israel, and El Al. Yet, Ben Gurion continues to operate at a one-third reduced capacity as US military planes harm commercial activity (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-military-planes-harming-israeli-commercial-activity-airports-chief-says-2026-05-28/). As the war is close to ending, TLV airport will continue to resume normal flight operations.