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The United States has launched evacuation flights for its citizens from Israel as the country remains locked in escalating hostilities with Iran, according to the US ambassador.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that the US government was assisting American nationals and permanent residents living in Israel or the occupied West Bank.
A State Department spokesperson reported that around 70 people were flown from Tel Aviv to Athens, Greece, on Saturday via two government-chartered flights. The official also encouraged other US citizens to leave independently if possible rather than waiting for government-arranged transport.
Credit: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
Several other nations, including China, India, and a number of European countries, have similarly begun repatriating their citizens during the worsening situation.
The evacuation effort comes as Israel and Iran continue to trade increasingly lethal blows. The conflict intensified after Israel launched a surprise air campaign on June 13, claiming that Tehran was nearing the development of a nuclear bomb.
Iran’s health ministry reported on Saturday that Israel’s unprovoked strikes have resulted in more than 400 deaths inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official Israeli figures.
With no signs of de-escalation, foreign governments continue to urge their nationals to leave the region while flights remain available.
