The Israeli Ministry of Health has launched an emergency operation to repatriate doctors and other critical workers in the sector who are stranded abroad, due to the ongoing escalation of the crisis with Iran and the prolonged suspension of flights to and from Israel, due to the closure of airspace. According to an Israeli newspaper, Cyprus will contribute to this operation, with the activation of a sea return corridor.
Specifically, as the newspaper "Yediod Achronot" writes, according to the available data, about 1.300 health workers are outside Israel, of which about 500 have been described as "necessary" to ensure the proper functioning of the health system.
The role of Cyprus is considered crucial, as the first sea return corridor is activated from the island. According to the report, the first group of 20 people was expected to depart from a Cypriot port on a container ship, on a journey lasting about eight hours, with provision for the use of life jackets. The newspaper notes that this is currently the only open channel for the repatriation of Israeli citizens.
The Ministry of Health describes the operation as a pilot, with the aim of evaluating the safety of the process and the endurance of the participants before proceeding with a wider implementation. If the project is deemed successful, a second mission is planned as early as the next day, with the participation of about 70 additional employees.
At the same time, alternative routes are being considered in case the airspace remains closed. These include transporting personnel to airports in neighbouring countries with open land transits to Israel, such as Jordan or Egypt, and then entering the country by buses under state escort and security.
CNA
