(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)
Gabriel Helupka, Dan Flanagan, Marisol Negrete, William Bos, Nicholas Novak
Cameron Munoz, Senior Editor
October 9, 2023
Airport Terminal[1]
Current Situation: At the time of reporting, the Counterterrorism Group (CTG) has confirmed that the following countries are either preparing or have initiated evacuations for their citizens.
Albania: The first Albanian evacuation plane departed Israel on October 8, with more evacuation flights planned.[2] Argentina: Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero announced that 235 Argentinians registered in the ministry’s evacuation registry for an evacuation flight its Consulate in Tel Aviv is preparing.[3]
Brazil: The Brazilian Foreign Ministry announced on October 8 that the Air Force is preparing evacuation flights from Ben-Gurion Airport to repatriate Brazilian citizens. The Brazilian embassy in Tel Aviv opened a registration form.[4] Bulgaria: Bulgaria dispatched a government-owned Airbus A319-111 to evacuate citizens from Tel Aviv to Sofia.[5] Chile: President Gabriel Boric announced on October 9 that a state-owned plane departed Santiago to return Chilean citizens. Boric announced the state will also conduct flights from Tel Aviv to Madrid, Spain, to bring Chileans “passing through to other destinations” due to flight cancellations.[6]
Croatia: The Foreign Ministry announced repatriating citizens is a priority, and the ministry is working to arrange transportation for Croatian nationals.[7]
Greece: The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced 81 out of 149 registered individuals departed on two flights from Ben-Gurion Airport to Athens. Further arrangements are being made for the remaining Greek visitors.[8]
Hungary: The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that it has evacuated 325 Hungarian citizens from Israel overnight on October 8.[9]
Mexico: The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on October 9 that it was sending two flights to repatriate citizens from Israel. Around 300 Mexican nationals expressed interest in returning to Mexico.[10]
Montenegro: The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced evacuation flights will continue until October 10 based on the current security conditions and time requirements for citizens to arrive. As of October 9, 60 citizens contacted the ministry, with 48 indicating they wished to return to Montenegro.[11]
North Macedonia: The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced it is preparing plans to evacuate over 100 registered citizens who wish to leave Israel.[12]
Poland: Poland dispatched several Polish Air Force transport planes to evacuate nationals. The flights had detachments of special forces to ensure protection and safe boarding.[13] The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on October 9 that three planes landed in Warsaw, with a fourth on its way.[14] Portugal: The Air Force sent a C-130 plane to evacuate an unknown number of nationals from Tel Aviv. Operating conditions for Portuguese evacuation flights are dynamic depending on security conditions and are under constant evaluation.[15] Paraguay: On October 9, National Chancellor Rubén Ramírez announced the country is analyzing ways to evacuate Paraguayan nationals from Israel safely. Ramírez deemed repatriation a priority.[16] Serbia: An Air Serbia plane evacuated Serbian citizens from Tel Aviv at around 2240 local time on October 8. Air Serbia will continue regular flights between Tel Aviv and Belgrade.[17] Switzerland: Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is planning a flight from Tel Aviv to Zurich on October 10.
Reservations are available via the SWISS call center, as reservations cannot be made online due to SWISS technical problems. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Swiss nationals in Israel.[18]
Thailand: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on October 9 that he ordered the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Air Force, and related agencies to immediately evacuate Thai citizens.[19]
India: Local Indian media reports junior external affairs minister Meenakshi Lekhraj announced that India is preparing efforts to return Indian students from Israel.[20]
Romania: A government-owned Boeing 737 (FN ROT2153) landed in Tel-Aviv during the early afternoon of October 8 to evacuate Romanian nationals out of Israel.[21] Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu posted on X shortly after that ministry personnel were in Tel Aviv to repatriate Romanian citizens.[22]
Evacuation Advice from Countries that have not announced evacuation plans: United States: The US embassy in Israel’s latest security alert advises citizens to check the status of the Rafah Crossing into Egypt. They advise citizens to check the status and availability of flights and note US carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. The embassy has a crisis intake form that affected citizens can fill out for assistance.[23] The security alert provides links to check the current status of land border crossings.
Canada: Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly advised Canadian citizens to register with Global Affairs Canada.[24] Registration can be found in this footnote.[25] Ireland: The Irish embassy in Israel advises citizens to check the status of flights and acknowledges flight suspensions. Irish citizens are encouraged to register with the embassy, this will likely facilitate potential evacuation flights.[26] Netherlands: The Dutch government held discussions on October 9 on how the situation is affecting Dutch nationals. They are monitoring the situation and advise registering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service.[27]
Day/Time of event: October 8-9, 2023
What is the current threat:
Most international flight operators will very likely extend suspensions of flight operations to and from Israel. An intensifying Israeli ground and air offensive into the Gaza Strip and retaliatory Hamas strikes near major aviation infrastructure will very likely prolonge these suspensions. Due to uncertain security conditions, Ben-Gurion International Airport will likely face a backlog of commercial flights in the coming days. This will likely prompt additional countries to consider initiating or expanding evacuation flights as commercial flights become limited.
The United States will likely announce its intentions regarding evacuation flights in the coming days, and face increased pressure from lawmakers and affected communities to prepare evacuation flights.
Who will it directly impact:
Foreign nationals in Israel
Aviation operators
Foreign ministry personnel
Military personnel
Recommendations:
CTG recommends foreign nationals and security professionals review our previous Situation Update Report (SUR) on border closings and possible evacuation routes. We recommend checking the current status of border crossings as they may change with the evolving situation. The report can be found in this footnote.[28]
The Counterterrorism Group (CTG) recommends foreign nationals remain in contact with their local embassy or consulate. We recommend following their guidance and registering for crisis response updates within the embassy.
The Counter Threat Center (CTC) is committed to delivering timely updates on the developing situation and conflict between Israel and Hamas. This report is part of our mission to contribute to the global public good by enhancing situational awareness and providing actionable intelligence, ultimately aimed at safeguarding lives.
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[1] Planes from Wix images
[3] SantiagoCafiero, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[4] Situation in Israel and Palestine - Repatriation of Brazilians, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2023, https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/situation-in-israel-and-palestine-repatriation-of-brazilians
[5] Playback of flight BGF121, from FlightRadar24, via CyberHUMINT
[6] GabrielBoric, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[7] Ensuring repatriation of Croatian citizens is a priority, Republic of Croatia Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, October 2023, https://mvep.gov.hr/press-22794/ensuring-repatriation-of-croatian-citizens-is-a-priority/262935
[8] Update by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the repatriation of Greek citizens from Israel and the Palestinian territories (Athens, 08.10.2023), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2023, https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/update-by-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-on-the-repatriation-of-greek-citizens-from-israel-and-the-palestinian-territories-athens-08102023.html
[9] Szijjártó Péter, from Facebook, via CyberHUMINT
[10] Government of Mexico sends two flights to Israel to repatriate Mexican people in a conflict zone, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2023, https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/gobierno-de-mexico-envia-dos-vuelos-a-israel-para-repatriar-a-personas-mexicanas-en-zona-de-conflicto
[11] MFA_MNE, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[12] Announcement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2023, https://mfa.gov.mk/en/page/13/post/3543/soopshtenie
[13] AndrzejDuda, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[14] Poland_MOD, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[15] Israel: Military plane has already left Portugal,
[16] Chancellery articulates mechanisms for the secure evacuation of Paraguayans in Israel, Paraguayan Information Agency, October 2023, https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/chancellery-articulates-mechanisms-for-the-secure-evacuation-of-paraguayans-in-israel/
[17] Airserbia, from X, Via CyberHUMINT
[18] Statement Israel / OPT, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, October 2023, https://www.fdfa.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/fdfa/aktuell/newsuebersicht/statements/israel.html
[19] Thavisin, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[20] Making all efforts to evacuate students from Israel, says govt, The Times of India, October 2023, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/making-all-efforts-to-evacuate-students-from-israel-says-govt/articleshow/104268468.cms?from=mdr
[21] Flight history for Tarom flight RO2153, from FlightRadar24, via CyberHUMINT
[22] Odobes1Luminita, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[23] Security Alert #4: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (October 9, 2023), U.S. Embassy in Israel, October 2023, https://il.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-jerusalem-october-9-2023/
[24] Melaniejoly, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[25] Registration of Canadians Abroad, Government of Canada, https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
[26] EmbassyTLV, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[27] Conflict Israel and the Palestinian Territories: updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Netherlands, October 2023, https://www.government.nl/latest/weblogs/the-work-of-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs/2023/updates-conflict-israel-and-palestinian-territories
[28] BORDER CLOSURES AND POSSIBLE EVACUATION ROUTES OUT OF ISRAEL, by Iris Hautaniemi Forsberg, Gabriel Helupka, Magdalena Breyer, Nicholas Novak, Wissal Mabrouk