Israel is preparing to bring back its citizens stranded abroad since its attack on Iran last week triggered the closure of its airspace, the country’s transport minister says.

Transport Minister Miri Regev said between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stuck abroad for the time being, as Israel and Iran were locked in their most intense confrontation in history.

The ministry said all of Israel’s commercial aircraft had been sent outside of the country to prevent the planes from being damaged during the air war.

“That step is now complete,” Regev added.

“The next step is to gradually bring Israelis back,” she said during a visit to the site of an Iranian strike in the centre of the country.

After suspending flights last week, the national carrier El Al said in a statement that it was “preparing rescue flights” starting this week.

Israel’s commercial aircraft had been sent outside of the country to prevent damage to the planes from retaliatory strikes by Iran. Photo / Flickr

Its planes will depart from Cyprus, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris, the statement added.

The low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also announced special flights this week to repatriate Israelis.

After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched a surprise air campaign against Iran last week.

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Israel says the offensive is aimed at preventing the Islamic republic from acquiring nuclear weapons – an ambition Tehran denies.

The adversaries have for years waged a shadow war through proxies and covert operations, with Israel fighting Iranian-backed groups such as Hamas since October 2023.

- Agence France-Presse