Desperate Israelis take tugboats, unusual ways in their homes while the Iranian conflict intensifies

Jerusalem – An emergency flight carrying Israelis blocked abroad due to fighting with Iran landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, part of a special government operation to bring them home.

Some 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis were abroad when fighter planes of the defense forces of Israel began to strike Iran overnight Thursday – seeking to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic and its cache of conventional weapons.

Israel immediately closed its airspace, stopping all flights to the country, but some people were so desperate to go home – despite the flying of fatal ballistic missiles that caused generalized damage and deaths – that they found unconventional routes.

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The first operating flight “Safe Return” landed at Ben Gurion airport in Israel on June 18, 2025. The operation, led by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety with the Airport Israel Authority and Israel Air Force, is designed to bring back Israeli passengers to the house which were forced to stay abroad due to the cancellations of theft. (Israel Airport Authority / TPS-Il)

Yaakov Katz, an author and former editor-in-chief of Jerusalem Post, has redirected his flight to the United States in Cyprus while Israel launched his first strike on Iran.

In a long post on social networks, he described being stuck for two days before finding a tug to bring him back and eight others in Israel.

“Nine of us rushed to a captain’s ship by Eli, an Israeli veteran who did not ask questions-simply took the wheel,” he wrote in the post.

Addressing Fox News Digital, Katz said that the boat trip was not easy.

Yaakov Katz went up on a tug in Cyprus to go home to Israel in the middle of the war with Iran. (Yaakov Katz)

“I cannot say that it was the best conditions, but it was definitely doable for 17 hours,” he said, adding that he wanted to be with his wife and four children while “our country is at war”.

“The idea of ​​not being at home and not being with my family was very difficult, and despite the risks and, of course, the war itself, there is no room, I think that no Israeli would like to be at one point like this,” said Katz.

Shimi Grossman, volunteer of the Zaka rescue agency, also said that he could not wait.

He has spent the last two days to make his way to the United States in London, then to Sharm Al-Sheikh in Egypt. Addressing Fox News Digital from there, Grossman said he was now planning to take a taxi for the southern border crossing of Israel to Taba.

“I needed to come back so I could help people from Israel,” said the medical volunteer.

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Israel launched its first rescue flights for Israelis blocked abroad during the War of Israel with Iran. (Fabrizio Gandolfo / Sopa Images / Lightrocket via Getty Images)

Others waited tense, looking at the missiles hit the country, sending civilians running in shelters, overthrowing buildings and killing more than 20 people.

“It’s a torture,” said Josh Hantman, who looked from London to Fox News Digital.

On Tuesday, a missile struck a bus deposit for less than one mile from his home. “Looking at a ballistic missile, the size of a bus falling near you where you know your wife and your grandchildren is incredibly difficult,” he said.

Transport Minister Miri Regev said the government worked on a detailed level to bring all the citizens of Israel.

The national airlines, she said, had already been moved abroad and expected that a little clear to return with passengers. Regev also said that a “sea route” from Cyprus and Greece would soon open. The Israelis were warned of traveling by neighboring Egypt and Jordan.

For Uzi Sofer, the rescue flights arrived too late. During a business trip to Boston last week, he returned Wednesday to celebrate his daughter’s marriage.

The air defense of Israel targets Iranian missiles in the sky of Tel Aviv in Israel on June 16, 2025. (Matan Golan / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

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“I had to go back Friday for the wedding this week,” he said, describing how he managed to reach Budapest, Hungary, but was now waiting for a rescue flight.

Realizing that his father would not come back in time, however, his daughter decided to postpone her wedding until next month.

“I am not stressed now, but I always want to be in Israel, I want to be with my family,” he said, adding: “God wants, in July, I can celebrate twice-the marriage and victory of Israel over Iran.”