“The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas. Starting Friday, October 13, the US government will arrange charter flights to assist US citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice. These initial transportation options will be augmented in the coming days. Senior State Department officials are actively working with airline carriers and international partners on how best to provide additional options to US citizens seeking to depart Israel or conduct onward travel to the United States. US citizens in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov.”

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and evaluate the demand from US citizens for assistance in departing Israel on a real-time basis but expect these initial travel options to facilitate the safe departure of thousands of US citizens per week. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and US citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance. We will have more to share in the coming days and will provide updates to US citizens who have registered via our online form. We will continue to provide updates and assistance to US citizens as the situation evolves” – State Department press release.