U.S. Begins Assisted Departures from Israel Amid Conflict

The U.S. Department of State has initiated assisted departure flights from Israel, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Two flights departed from Tel Aviv to Athens, carrying approximately 70 U.S. citizens, their immediate family members, and lawful permanent residents. These evacuations began shortly before reports of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

U.S. citizens in Israel seeking assistance should register with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The State Department is using a form to gather information from those needing help.

This announcement follows earlier confusion regarding U.S. government assistance for American citizens evacuating from Israel. Initially, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem indicated support for evacuation flights and cruise ship departures. However, the State Department later clarified that they had no immediate plans to assist private U.S. citizens with departures.

The U.S. Embassy subsequently informed Americans enrolled in the STEP program that the State Department was preparing for potential assistance with private departures. They also requested that Americans in Israel interested in leaving the country complete an online form.

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Israel, advising against travel due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest. Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's main airport, is currently closed, and several commercial airlines have suspended flights from Israel to the United States.

In the meantime, Americans in Israel have organized evacuations through other means. Birthright Israel evacuated approximately 1,500 program participants via a cruise ship from Ashdod Port to Larnaca, Cyprus. Charter flights, organized by non-profits and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have also transported hundreds of Americans evacuating the Middle East to Tampa, Florida.

Some Americans have chosen to leave through the border with Jordan, traveling to Amman by car and flying from there to the United States. One American, who was in Israel on a business trip, expressed the desire for more U.S. government assistance in bringing citizens home.

The conflict has led to significant casualties. Missile strikes have resulted in at least 657 deaths in Iran, including 263 civilians. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed. Strikes on Friday injured 23 people in northern Israel.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed that "several" U.S. citizens were lightly wounded due to an Iranian missile strike. Further details were not provided due to privacy concerns.