Bratislava: As the volatile conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, several European nations, notably Slovakia and the Czech Republic, have initiated urgent repatriation efforts, successfully airlifting their citizens and other foreign nationals out of Israel. These humanitarian flights underscore the growing international concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
On Monday evening, a Slovak plane, carrying 73 individuals evacuated from the crisis-hit region, touched down in Bratislava. The flight, originating from Israel via a stop in Amman, Jordan, included 30 Slovak nationals, among them embassy staff, alongside citizens from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar confirmed that further evacuation flights are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, indicating an ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of their citizens.
The Czech Republic has also been actively involved in these coordinated efforts. The Czech Foreign Ministry announced its own repatriation flight for citizens in Israel, with passengers required to register with their embassy in Tel Aviv. Many Czech nationals were also expected to utilize the Slovak-organized flights departing from Amman.
These evacuation missions come in the wake of updated travel advisories from both Slovak and Czech authorities, strongly cautioning against non-essential travel to Israel and expanding the warnings to include Lebanon and Jordan due to the escalating conflict with Iran. With Israeli airspace currently facing disruptions, many evacuees are being routed overland to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt to board their flights home.
The swift actions by these European nations highlight the immediate human impact of the deepening geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, as governments worldwide prioritize the safety and return of their citizens caught in the increasingly precarious environment.