The United States has begun evacuating citizens from Israel amid fears of Iranian retaliation following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three major nuclear facilities in Iran.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has urged US citizens to leave the country, announcing that the State Department is assisting with departure flights from the region.
In a post on X, Huckabee said the US Embassy in Jerusalem had launched “Operation Exodus” to coordinate evacuations. “With airspace mostly closed, the challenges are great… if given an option, TAKE IT,” he wrote.
Israeli airline El Al announced it would provide 60 seats on flights departing Tel Aviv for destinations including New York and Los Angeles, according to The Daily Mail. The flights will start on Monday and help Americans seeking to leave the region.
On Friday, prior to the strikes, the US evacuated 79 staff members and their families from the embassy in Jerusalem. According to the Associated Press, over 6,400 US citizens in Israel filled out an online form seeking information about evacuation options. Estimates suggest roughly 700,000 Americans reside in Israel, many of them dual citizens, though the exact number remains uncertain.
The evacuation efforts follow Trump’s decision to launch a military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. On Saturday, Trump posted to Truth Social, calling the mission a “very successful attack.”
“A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors,” the president wrote.
Iran has condemned the attack and vowed retaliation, accusing the US of violating international law. In a statement, Tehran warned, “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.”
