A Special Flight for Germans Stuck in Israel's Chaos: A Journey from Jordan to Germany
Arrived in Frankfurt from Jordan transcontinental flight. - A Jordanian airplane touched down in Frankfurt's airport.
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A unique flight carrying German citizens and their relatives who found themselves stuck in Israel has safely landed in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, following an arduous journey from the Jordanian capital Amman.
A Glimpse of the Exodus
Special flights are in the pipeline for the days ahead, with one already fully booked. The German Foreign Office has announced further plans for a new flight, given the pressing need for evacuation.
With regular flights scant, it falls upon the Germans to make their way independently to Jordan for departure. Notably, other European nations too, such as Poland, have mobilized convoys for their citizens by journeying to Jordan.
Registering for Allocated Aid: Elefand Crisis Preparedness List
The Foreign Office implores Germans to enroll on its Elefand crisis preparedness list to receive assistance more promptly.
In the past, a spokesperson made it clear that this mission was not a repatriation or evacuation mandate. Instead, they termed it "commercial special flights" as regular airline services were insufficient to meet demand. The ongoing flights will continue, provided the scenario permits and there's a want for evacuation.
A Tense and Evolving Situation
The spokesperson shared their grave concern regarding the volatile nature of the region. Israeli military operations persist in Iran, coupled with hostile shelling toward Israel, thus necessitating the shutdown of their shared airspace.
The Risky Journey for German Citizens
Not having organized trips from Israel to Amman, the Foreign Office has underscored potential added risks such travels might incur. They advise, above all, to adhere to the guidelines put forth by the Israeli authorities, including refraining from overland travel and large gatherings at the moment.
As of now, over 4,000 Germans have self-reported to the Elefand list, affirming their presence in Israel, while counts of registrations surpass the 1k mark in Iran.
Exit Strategies for Germans in Iran
The Foreign Office recommends Germans in Iran to traverse to neighboring countries like Armenia and Turkey via land, as their border checkpoints remain accessible. In some exceptions, departures from Azerbaijan are also possible. From there, commercial flights can be taken to Germany. The embassy in Tehran extends support in hastening exits, engaging directly with Iranian officials to facilitate smooth departures, if necessary.
Learning from History
Amidst these challenging circumstances, Germany demonstrates unwavering solidarity in supporting its citizens, coordinating complex operations amidst disrupted airspace, and reaffirming the government's commitment to citizens' safety and well-being.
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The ongoing crisis in Israel has led to special flights being organized for German citizens stranded there, with more planned in the future due to the need for evacuation. These flights are not part of a repatriation or evacuation mandate but rather 'commercial special flights' arranged in response to insufficient regular airline services.
