Israeli Escape from the Occupied Territories

WANA (Jun 17) – Secretly, without supervision, paying thousands of shekels: more people are fleeing Israel via Cyprus using private yachts.

With the skies closed, hundreds of Israelis have joined groups that provide them with alternative escape routes. None of them is willing to be identified by their real name, and nearly all say they are leaving out of desperation. Even those willing to pay the cost, according to the captains, must be prepared for serious hardships.

This morning’s situation in Tel Aviv as seen through the lens of an Israeli photographer, 15 June 2025 / WANA News Agency

In recent days, the Herzliya marina has turned into a small terminal. From seven in the morning, individuals—mostly alone, sometimes couples or families—come here to flee Israel.

After the start of Israel’s attack on Iran, which took place on the morning of June 13, Iran immediately launched painful retaliatory strikes against Israel. These attacks were somewhat more intense than what Israel had anticipated.

Israeli citizens, many of whom hold the citizenship of another country, now consider Israel to be an increasingly unsafe place to live, and they are trying to save themselves from this situation by fleeing before it’s too late.