Repatriation flights out of Israel to the UK will begin TODAY, government announces, following pleas for help by stranded citizens

The Government has organised flights to fly British nationals out of Israel, with the first flight set to leave Tel Aviv later on Thursday, the Foreign Office said.

Further flights are planned in the coming days, subject to the security situation on the ground. 

The Foreign Office said that ‘vulnerable’ Brits will be prioritised, adding that it will be contacting people directly, six days into the bloodiest conflict between Israel and Palestine in decades. 

It advised that British nationals should not make their way to airports unless they are directly called. 

It is understood that the flights will cost around £300 per person. 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK was ‘working around the clock’ to get British nationals home

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, following the announcement: ‘The UK is working around the clock to ensure that British nationals are able to leave Israel. 

‘That’s why we’ve organised a UK-sponsored flight for vulnerable British nationals. 

‘It’s absolutely essential that if you’re in Israel and wish to leave, that you register your presence.’ 

It comes after a number of airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Wizz Air suspended commercial flights to Tel Aviv. 

British citizens previously told MailOnline that they were furious with the Foreign Office for leaving them stuck in Israel for so long. 

This was despite several nations, including Bulgaria, Spain, Poland and Thailand, already sending planes to Israel to collect their citizens and ensure they were far away from war.  

Philip Horesh, a Jewish Londoner who was on holiday in Israel, said that despite the need for help from the UK government, none came for him and his wife: ‘The [FCDO] were useless. No communication apart from banal announcements, no help to travel home for anyone.’

He said he was forced to fork out around £1,400 for flights from Tel Aviv to Gatwick, with an overnight stop at Izmir, Turkey.

On top of flights, he had to pay for last minute hotels and taxis to get around Tel Aviv and Izmir.

‘[We feel] much safer and relieved, but feel bad about leaving when the country needs as much help as it can get. There were more sirens in Tel Aviv and the airport on Tuesday, we’re worried for those who are still there.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.