The Bundeswehr is flying German citizens out of Israel with two military aircraft. One of the planes landed in Tel Aviv in the evening loaded with relief supplies and is scheduled to return to Germany that night.
The Bundeswehr is supposed to fly German citizens out of Israel. For this purpose, two A400M military transporters were sent from Germany to Tel Aviv loaded with relief supplies, said an Air Force spokeswoman. As the dpa news agency learned from security circles, the first plane landed in Israel that evening. The second made a stopover in Cyprus.
“On the return flight to Germany, German citizens and their families who wanted to leave Israel due to the current situation in the Middle East have the opportunity to be taken along. Further flights are being prepared,” said the spokeswoman.
Up to 50 people are expected to return home
The aircraft are expected back at the air base in Wunstorf, Lower Saxony, at 3 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. According to information from ARD capital studios Up to 50 people – including people without German citizenship – will be taken on board the first plane.
According to the dpa news agency, a “hub” is to be built in Tel Aviv – a hub for possible further flights. The deployment of another Bundeswehr machine was already prepared for Sunday.
Further flight prepared for Sunday
“The Bundeswehr is in close coordination with the Foreign Office and is supporting it with the so-called rapid air pick-up. We are also prepared for military evacuations should this become necessary,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. “I am proud that our population can rely on the rapid deployment of these forces.”
2,800 Germans have already left the country
In the past few days, the Foreign Office has already supported around 2,800 German citizens and family members to leave the country. It was said that people left the country by land, air and sea after the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas a week ago.
Lufthansa had initially stopped its scheduled flights from Israel and then used special flights. In addition to security issues, the background is “also unresolved questions of operational stability in Tel Aviv,” according to the airline.
The Israeli military says it is preparing for an “integrated and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land” on the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It was said that the preparations were nearing completion. This includes calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists and equipping them.
“Prepared for all eventualities”
A new exit option via Jordan had so far only been used to a very limited extent. The Foreign Office wanted to help people who decided to do so with bus transport to Aqaba. Those leaving the country could quickly and easily acquire an electronic visa or a visa on arrival online.
The Foreign Ministry appealed to Germans wanting to leave the country to register on the “Elefand” crisis preparedness list. Keep in constant contact with everyone. In addition, they are preparing “for all eventualities, for example in the event that the situation worsens,” it said.