First Cruise Ship Brings Back 2,000 Stranded Israelis From Cyprus After Airspace Closure

Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, the first rescue cruise ship carrying stranded Israeli citizens from Cyprus arrived at the Port of Ashdod on Friday morning. The luxury ship, Crown Iris, operated by Mano Shipping, brought back around 2,000 Israelis who had been stuck in Limassol after Israeli airspace was shut down.

This sea-based evacuation is the beginning of “Operation Safe Return,” a national effort led by Israel’s Ministry of Transportation to bring home citizens stranded abroad. The operation was coordinated in partnership with the Shipping and Ports Authority, the Home Front Command, and private shipping companies.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who welcomed the returnees at the port, described the operation as a national mission. According to her, the government is “continuing to act vigorously, with all tools and means available” to ensure the safe return of all Israelis.

The Crown Iris departed from Limassol in Cyprus, a key transit hub in the eastern Mediterranean, located about 270 kilometers from Israel. The cruise liner had previously docked in Limassol to drop off hundreds of Jewish emigrants from the U.S. who had been evacuated from Israel. The ship then picked up Israeli passengers stuck in Cyprus due to grounded flights.

Cyprus has become a crucial evacuation and transit point not only for Israelis but also for third-country nationals fleeing the region, especially as flight routes remain unavailable. According to Cyprus’ Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, approximately 6,500 Israelis were in Cyprus, some diverted there mid-journey and others who had traveled there in hopes of catching a way back home.

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One of the returnees, David Agami, had traveled from the United States and was trying to reach his home in Beit Shemesh after getting stuck in Cyprus. He said he wanted to return not just to his wife and six children but also to contribute to the nation, even if it involved risks. In his view, many Israelis share a sense of duty toward the country in difficult times.

Another couple aboard the ship, Ben and Liat Fox, both medical professionals from central Israel, were also eager to return. After attending medical conferences in Germany and Sweden, they said their primary concern was reuniting with their three daughters in Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut and being available to help with the national defense as doctors.

They expressed worry over the recent missile strike on Soroka Hospital in the Beersheba area, which reportedly injured at least 40 people.

Haifa resident Hanit Azulay, also on board, said she was not afraid of returning home despite missile threats. She said her daughter and family were in Israel, and like many others, she had grown used to the threat over the years.

To facilitate the return journey from Ashdod Port, about 50 buses and minibuses were arranged by the Ministry of Transport to take passengers free of charge to destinations including the Ashdod train station, Beersheba, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.

Transport Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken explained that while this was the first sea evacuation, it would not be the last. More ships are expected to bring additional passengers back to Israel in the coming days. He described the coordination of the operation as a complex logistical challenge carried out in full cooperation between various government and private entities.

The Port of Ashdod had prepared extensively for the arrival of Crown Iris, implementing tight security and faster passenger processing systems as advised by the Home Front Command. Port workers operated under the threat of sirens and missile alerts, continuing their duties to keep the economy running and to support the repatriation efforts.

Ashdod Port CEO Nissan Levi commended the commitment of port employees, saying their work amid sirens is a strong reflection of the Israeli spirit.

The Ministry of Transport stated that the maritime corridor remains open and secure, though all future sea evacuations will proceed only with defense approval to ensure the safety of travelers.

References: Times of Israel, i24news

Source: Maritime Shipping News