JERUSALEM – An emergency flight carrying Israelis stranded overseas due to the fighting with Iran landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, part of a special government operation to get them home. 

Some 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis were abroad when Israel Defense Forces fighter jets began striking Iran overnight on Thursday – seeking to destroy the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and its cache of conventional weapons.

Israel immediately closed its airspace, halting all flights into the country, but some people have been so desperate to get home – despite the volleys of deadly ballistic missiles that have caused widespread damage and fatalities – that they have found some unconventional routes. 

“I was supposed to fly back on Friday for the wedding this week,” he said, describing how he managed to reach Budapest, Hungary, but was now waiting for a rescue flight. 

Realizing her father would not make it back in time, however, his daughter decided to postpone her nuptials until next month.

“I’m not stressed now, but I still want to be in Israel, I want to be with my family,” he said, adding, “God willing, in July, I will get to celebrate twice – the wedding and Israel’s victory over Iran.”