Americans in Israel evacuate using cruise ship.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
5:53 PM – Monday, October 16, 2023
United States citizens desperately seeking refuge from the war in Israel were evacuated by the Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel posted the announcement of the evacuation plan on its website last Sunday, extending an opportunity for the 2,500 Americans and their immediate family members still residing in Israel to depart via sea.
Those with valid travel documents were given the chance to leave Haifa and be transported to nearby Cyprus. However, it is still unclear exactly how many Americans were able to board the ship.
This decision comes as the Israeli military prepares for an “all-out” ground assault on Gaza in response to last week’s deadly attacks by Hamas, resulting in the loss of at least 1,400 lives, including over 30 Americans.
The numbers continue to rise.
Additionally, at least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and others wounded in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7th, the enclave’s health ministry said on Monday.
With commercial airlines largely ceasing operations to Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, the Royal Caribbean cruise line came to the rescue.
Prior to the Israel-Hamas war, the ship was set this week to make a five-day round trip cruise to Cyprus and the Greek Isles, based out of Haifa.
The ship provided an escape route for U.S. citizens, which included women, infants, and young children. Dozens of U.S. citizens and their spouses were reportedly in line to get on Rhapsody of the Seas in Haifa on Monday morning.
The journey was expected to take about 10 to 12 hours, with food provided and WiFi available to use during the journey.
From Cyprus, passengers will be able travel by air to other parts of Europe and the world.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
New data reveals top destinations in the U.S. for asylum seekers.
It’s been 10-days since Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel and Joe Biden is now considering his own trip to America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
Ohio Representative Jim Jordan is regarded as one of the most influential lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
The founder of the government watchdog group ‘OpenTheBooks.Com’ says that for the past three years., the Biden Administration has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians after the aid had been blocked during the Trump Administration.
LinkedIn said on Monday it would lay off 668 employees across its engineering, talent and finance teams in the second round of job cuts this year.
Netflix’s crackdown on password-sharing likely boosted subscribers by about 6 million is expected to set the stage for price increases.
Google said on Thursday that it will defend users of generative artificial-intelligence systems in its Google Cloud and Workspace platforms.
China has published proposed security requirements for firms offering services powered by generative artificial intelligence.
rnrn
What are the potential challenges faced by the Royal Caribbean cruise ship in transporting the evacuees from Israel to Cyprus?
/alerts
As the conflict in Israel continues to escalate, the evacuation of U.S. citizens is a critical step in ensuring their safety and well-being. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship provides a timely and efficient means of transportation for those seeking refuge.
It is important to note that this evacuation plan is not without challenges. With limited space and resources on the ship, not all Americans in Israel were able to board. The exact number of evacuees is still unclear.
The decision to evacuate comes in the midst of the Israeli military’s preparation for a ground assault on Gaza. The deadly attacks by Hamas have prompted a strong response from Israel, leading to a significant loss of lives on both sides.
However, the conflict in Israel is not one-sided. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have also suffered greatly from Israeli air strikes. The high number of casualties highlights the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to this ongoing conflict.
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship has stepped in to provide transportation for U.S. citizens due to the limited functioning of commercial airlines to Israel. This act of assistance demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and support in times of crisis.
As the evacuated passengers reach Cyprus, they will have the opportunity to continue their journey to other parts of Europe and the world. This provides them with options and freedom to seek safety and rebuild their lives.
The evacuation of U.S. citizens from Israel is a necessary response to the escalating conflict. It is an act of compassion and protection, ensuring the well-being of those affected by this crisis.
As the situation in Israel unfolds, it is essential for the international community to come together and work towards
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...