US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on 21/6 that the US government is assisting US citizens and permanent residents living in Israel or the West Bank to leave Israel, urging them to quickly complete the evacuation registration form.
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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in May. Photo: NPR |
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in May. Photo: NPR
A US State Department official said approximately 70 people were evacuated from Tel Aviv to Athens, Greece on 21/6 on two US-organized flights. This official urged US citizens to leave Israel independently if possible, without waiting for government assistance.
Several countries, including China, India, Vietnam, and some European nations, have evacuated their citizens in the past week amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. The conflict began on 13/6 when Israel launched preemptive airstrikes against Iran, killing several high-ranking commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran then launched a retaliatory campaign.
Iran reports that more than 400 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israel reports that Iran's retaliation has killed at least 25 people and injured more than 2,500.
Tensions in the Middle East further intensified when the US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran's foreign minister declared that the US had "crossed a red line" and that Iran would retaliate. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to target US bases in the Middle East.
Hong Hanh (According to AFP)
