Countries around the world have been scrambling to evacuate their citizens from Israel after the deadly attack launched by Palestinian militants at the weekend, while some foreigners, faced with cancelled flights, have pleaded for help from their governments.
People from the US, Australia, Argentina, Cambodia, Canada, Nepal, Thailand, Russia, the UK, Ukraine and France and elsewhere are confirmed to be among those killed in the violence.
More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israel while others are missing, some feared abducted by Hamas militants and taken into Gaza. Another 900 people have been killed in Gaza after Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes.
Many airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have cancelled or delayed flights from Israel.
Canada said on Tuesday it would send military aircraft to Tel Aviv “in the coming days” for citizens and permanent residents as well as their spouses and children.
“We are planning to begin the assisted departure of Canadians from Tel Aviv … We are also working on additional options for those who cannot reach the airport in Tel Aviv,” foreign minister Melanie Joly said on X, formerly Twitter.
About 1,000 Canadians in Israel want to leave in the wake of Hamas’ assault on Saturday, according to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
The Australian government confirmed on Wednesday it had asked Qantas and Virgin for urgent help to repatriate Australians from Israel as the death toll in the region mounts. However, foreign minister Penny Wong urged people not to wait for government-backed repatriation flights if they could find a commercial option to leave the region.
It is believed about 12,000 Australians are in Israel, although many of these are dual nationals who may not necessarily wish to leave.
Germany has chartered Lufthansa to evacuate its citizens who want to leave on Thursday and Friday, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. German media reported there were thought to be about 4,500 Germans in Israel, including many school and youth groups.
Denmark will also offer to evacuate its citizens from Israel and the Palestinian territories, the government said on Wednesday while Fiji’s defence minister Pio Tikoduadua said a Fiji Airways flight had left Tel Aviv with almost 200 Fijian religious pilgrims, plus citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US on board and would arrive in Fiji on Thursday.
Hungary evacuated 215 people on two planes on Sunday, while Mexico said on Monday it was evacuating about 300 of its nationals who had asked to leave on humanitarian flights operated by its army.
On Wednesday a flight carrying 192 South Koreans from Tel Aviv arrived at Incheon Airport. About 570 South Koreans are estimated to be staying long-term in Israel while about 230 are staying short-term, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry.
Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main airport, was “crowded” and “hectic,” said Jang Jeong-yoon, a 62-year-old who was on board the Korean Air flight home after travelling to Israel to take part in the festival of Sukkot.
“As flights were cancelled or delayed, there was fear and people were rushing to leave the country,” she said.
Other countries, including the US and the UK, have said they have no plans to evacuate citizens, despite calls from lawmakers and those affected.
The US is not “actively considering” emergency evacuation of its citizens, a spokesperson for the national security council said on Monday. In a statement on the same day, president Joe Biden said “For those who desire to leave, commercial flights and ground options are still available.”
Several members of congress have urged the government to evacuate US citizens. In a letter to secretary of state Antony Blinken, representative Grace Meng said she had “harrowing reports from constituents who remain in Israel and are seeking to return to the United States as soon as possible”.
A woman from London told the BBC she had contacted the British embassy in Israel but received no response. She said she was stuck in Tel Aviv with three other adults and 12 children.
“We are very disappointed as we live in England and no one is willing to help us get back safely,” she said. “What are we supposed to do in this time of war?”
The UK has advised against travel to parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories but has no plans to evacuate citizens. The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, told LBC radio on Tuesday ministers were “working with” the aviation industry to ensure commercial flights remain available to Britons looking to leave Israel.
Meanwhile Cyprus said on Tuesday it was ready to help with the evacuation of citizens of third countries who might want to leave Israel.
The government has activated a repatriation scheme known as Estia, which offers temporary accommodation and assistance to European Union and third-country nationals fleeing areas of crisis. Eighty five citizens of Portugal and Spain had already arrived in the country on Tuesday.
Reuters contributed to this report
