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20,000 Israelis Stranded Abroad Amid Wartime Travel Restrictions

3/17/2026

Center

Israelis Stranded Abroad

About 20,000 Israelis remain stranded abroad.
Since the war began, 100,000 Israelis have returned.
Wartime regulations at Ben Gurion Airport limit arrivals to one long-haul flight per hour and cap passenger numbers.
El Al is the only airline capable of large-scale repatriation, with officials planning increased flights to Bangkok and Phuket to return about 8,000 Israelis and arranging special flights for stranded American citizens, drawing criticism over unequal treatment.

Left

Israelis Reopen Skies

Operation Roaring Lion intensifies as the airport manages operations under missile threats.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced plans to reopen skies for Passover, enabling wide-body aircraft to operate at full capacity for U.S. citizens.
Israeli airlines plan 25 flights to North America this week, with possible increases in passenger limits on narrow-body planes.
The airport remains limited to 2,300 people at once to ensure rapid evacuations amid ongoing missile activity.

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Israelis Stranded Abroad

About 20,000 Israelis remain stranded abroad.
Since the war began, 100,000 Israelis have returned.
Wartime regulations at Ben Gurion Airport limit arrivals to one long-haul flight per hour and cap passenger numbers.
El Al is the only airline capable of large-scale repatriation, with officials planning increased flights to Bangkok and Phuket to return about 8,000 Israelis and arranging special flights for stranded American citizens, drawing criticism over unequal treatment.

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