US begins evacuation flights from “Israel”

The US Ambassador to “Israel” Mike Huckabee announced "Operation Exodus," a series of assisted departure flights and cruise ship evacuations to help American citizens and lawful residents leave “Israel” as tensions with Iran intensify.

A State Department official said around 70 people were flown from Tel Aviv to Athens, Greece on Saturday on two government-organized flights.

He urged citizens to depart on their own if possible.

The operation comes in response to a week-long conflict marked by “Israeli” airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile attacks from Iran, which have closed “Israeli” airspace and disrupted commercial travel.

"The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem has arranged for masses to leave & our team is working around the clock," Huckabee wrote on X, urging citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates on evacuation options, which include cruise ships, commercial or charter flights, and limited US government-operated flights.

The State Department has placed “Israel” under a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory, citing risks from armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest.

An internal State Department memo, obtained by The Associated Press, reported that over 6,400 Americans in “Israel” submitted evacuation requests on Friday alone, with an estimated 300 to 500 people needing assistance daily.