British nationals have begun emergency evacuations out of Israel following the United States’ dramatic airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, with one RAF plane already lifting 63 citizens to safety.
Video footage shows the tense but orderly moment evacuees boarded an RAF A400 aircraft at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, in one of the first British-led evacuations since the regional conflict erupted.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard confirmed the UK is closely tracking the “fast-changing situation” and issued a sharp warning:
“The UK Government utterly condemns any escalation.”
Evacuations Underway as Airstrikes Intensify
The evacuees’ flight departed Tel Aviv at 3pm local time on Monday, bound for a British military base in Larnaca, Cyprus. Upon landing, passengers broke into an emotional chorus of God Save the King, a moment described by one eyewitness as “overwhelmingly moving”.
Passengers are expected to board a connecting flight from Cyprus back to the UK later on Monday.
Speaking anonymously, one passenger said they were notified at 3am that seats were available:
“People are feeling very relieved. There are lots of empty seats on board despite people saying it was full.”
The Foreign Office confirmed around 1,000 people have requested evacuation, out of the 4,000 British nationals who had registered their presence in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Flights Suspended, Then Restarted
All commercial flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport had been suspended since 13 June, amid rising threats from Iranian and proxy missile attacks. However, the airport reopened briefly on Monday morning to allow foreign governments, including the UK, to fly out their citizens.
More evacuation flights are expected to follow in the coming days.
Regional Tensions at Breaking Point
The evacuation comes as the Middle East teeters on the edge of a broader war.
On Monday, Iran announced it had attacked the U.S.-run Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in retaliation for America’s surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo, over the weekend.
In response, Israel launched air raids on Tehran, reportedly hitting sensitive targets such as the Revolutionary Guard Corps’ security HQ and Evin Prison, known for housing political prisoners and human rights activists.
Iran responded swiftly, launching missile strikes on Israeli cities and accusing the U.S. of crossing “a very big red line.”
The situation has sparked widespread international concern, with world leaders urging all sides to avoid a spiralling conflict.
