War in the Middle East
Bundeswehr flies Germans out of Israel with A400M – several flights planned
A Luftwaffe Airbus A400M transport aircraft takes off from Wunstorf Air Base (archive image)
© Julian Stratensachulte / DPA
Now the air force is being deployed: The Bundeswehr is taking German citizens out of Israel – while the country is preparing a large-scale attack on the Gaza Strip.
One week after the terrorist attacks by the Islamist Hamas Israel is supposed to have the Bundeswehr fly out German citizens. Two A400M military transporters were on their way from Germany to Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, as the Ministry of Defense in Berlin explained. As the German Press Agency learned from security circles, they are also supposed to build a “hub” – a hub for possible further flights. The deployment of another Bundeswehr machine was already prepared for Sunday.
According to the Ministry of Defense, further flights are in preparation. Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) explained: “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. I am proud that our population can rely on the rapid deployment of these forces.”
2,800 German citizens have already left Israel
In the past few days, the Foreign Office has already supported around 2,800 German citizens and family members to leave the country. However, Lufthansa has stopped its scheduled flights from Israel for the time being and has now used special flights.
Wolfgang Hellmich, defense policy spokesman for the SPD in the Bundestag, said: “We very much welcome the fact that the federal government is now using the available and proven capabilities of the air force to bring German citizens from Israel to safety.” Both planes had relief material on board for Israel, and the return flight would be used to evacuate German citizens. “May as many people as possible return safely.”
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. The preparations were about to be completed, it was said on Saturday evening. This includes calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists and equipping them.
Hardly used detour via Jordan
A new exit option for Germans 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.