Chaim V’Chessed: Restrictions Reimposed Following U.S. Strike on Iran; Airspace Closed Once Again
In the wake of the United States’ military strike on Iranian facilities, Israel has reimposed its strictest level of security restrictions across the country, amid widespread concern over possible Iranian retaliation. Effective immediately, public transportation is severely limited, all gatherings are banned. See the latest Home Front regulations here.
In a major blow to thousands of travelers, Israeli airspace was again fully closed following the US attack. This affected rescue flights that had only commenced, as well as others that were scheduled to begin operating in the coming days.
UPDATE: Israeli airspace will reopen at 2 PM IST on Sunday, barring any unexpected developments.
Other than rescue flights, which have not yet begun, the only current way to exit or enter Israel is by land via the borders with Jordan or Egypt.
U.S. Evacuation Flights – Now in Doubt
In a separate but related development, prior to the U.S. strike, the United States Embassy in Jerusalem had notified American citizens that evacuation flights were planned to begin on Monday, June 23. Emails were sent to those who had registered via the U.S. State Department’s crisis portal, providing initial details about departure options.
Following the latest escalation, sources at the U.S. Embassy tell Chaim V’Chessed that evacuation flights are still planned. The embassy is currently reassessing the situation in light of the rapidly evolving security climate. Those who received emails from the Embassy MUST respond to those emails if they wish to be considered for an evacuation flight. Additionally, officials emphasize that it is crucial to fill out all details, accurately, when applying for the U.S. flights.
Additionally, Embassy representatives have informed Chaim V’Chessed that, due to the situation, the Embassy will be closed on Monday, June 23. Opening hours for subsequent days will be determined by conditions later in the week.
Ongoing Updates
Chaim V’Chessed continues to monitor the situation closely and is in regular contact with various government agencies. We will continue to update the community as more information becomes available.
For the latest updates, follow www.chaimvchessed.com or click here to subscribe to our updates.
