More than 220 British nationals and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from Tel Aviv to Cyprus by RAF Atlas aircraft, in response to the rapidly escalating conflict in Israel.
The three-day airlift operation, led by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and supported by the Ministry of Defence, saw Royal Air Force aircraft flying from RAF Brize Norton and Cyprus to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, before transporting evacuees to Larnaca.
The RAF Atlas transport aircraft were specially refitted with additional seating to accommodate over 100 passengers per flight, according to a statement from the RAF.
On arrival in Cyprus, FCDO consular staff were on hand to provide immediate support to the evacuees before their return to the UK. Among those rescued were young families, elderly citizens, including two who had just turned 91, and even a three-month-old baby.
“This is the day job, but it is one of the most rewarding elements of the job when you become involved in any humanitarian activity,” said one RAF aircrew member involved in the mission.
One evacuee, Jeff, had travelled to Israel with his family for a wedding when the situation deteriorated.
“My family and I were caught in a situation that quickly escalated from a joyous celebration to navigating a war zone. My wife, elderly parents and I were absolutely terrified, running to bomb shelters in the middle of the night and unsure how we would get home.”
The evacuation was coordinated on the ground by the Ministry of Defence’s Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team, working alongside the FCDO’s Rapid Deployment Team to ensure the smooth and safe transport of civilians out of the conflict zone.
Squadron Leader Katie Hermolle, Commander of the RAF Air Mobility Detachment, praised the adaptability of the team:
“The Air Mobility Force is extremely agile; flexibility is key so that personnel and aircraft can change roles rapidly and deliver operations such as these evacuation flights at very short notice.”
Jeff echoed that sentiment in a heartfelt statement of thanks:
“I cannot express how relieved I am to be back home after such a harrowing experience. The support from the RAF has been invaluable. It was a terrifying ordeal, but knowing that help was on the way made all the difference. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this operation.”
