Israelis flee to Cyprus by sea to escape Iranian missile threat
Haaretz reports that yacht owners in Herzliya, Haifa, and Ashkelon are transporting hundreds of Israelis daily after the country shut down its airspace.
Amid the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran, the impact of the war is becoming increasingly evident in the daily lives of Israeli civilians, who now feel a genuine threat to their personal safety.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Monday that hundreds of Israelis are fleeing daily to Cyprus aboard yachts, trying to escape Iranian missiles targeting Israeli cities.
As the situation grows increasingly volatile, security and stability in Israel have reached unprecedented lows, prompting many citizens to seek safer havens abroad. Reports indicate that this trend is accelerating, with a rising number of Israelis fleeing missiles launched by Tehran toward civilian areas.
This wave of sea-based exodus reflects growing anxiety over the ongoing conflict and a decline in public confidence in Israel’s defense systems to protect civilians in the near future. With Iranian strikes intensifying, many now believe the danger is no longer theoretical. Rather than relying solely on missile defense systems like the Iron Dome, some are making the drastic decision to escape abroad, far from the conflict zone.
Cyprus, just a few hours away by sea, has become a favored destination for those hoping to flee the conflict—an indication of the fear and uncertainty gripping the country.
Since the start of the war, Israel has closed its airspace and secretly relocated dozens of civilian aircraft abroad, leaving millions of people trapped within the country and vulnerable to Iranian strikes, which have already resulted in numerous casualties.
Haaretz interviewed some of the escapees at Herzliya Marina, located on the Mediterranean coast near Tel Aviv.
According to the report: “Facebook groups dedicated to leaving Israel by sea show that hundreds are now seeking to exit the country this way. And as always, when there is demand, there are those willing to offer services—for a price.”
In addition to Herzliya, small yacht owners in Haifa (north) and Ashkelon (south) are also organizing crossings, typically accommodating groups of up to ten people.
Most travelers reportedly do not live permanently in Israel and are either trying to return to their home countries or reunite with family abroad.
Only a small minority admit they are fleeing the threat of Iranian missiles, and none were willing to speak openly to reporters.
On Friday, Israel, with U.S. support, launched a massive assault on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, missile bases, and assassinating military officers and nuclear scientists, leaving 224 dead and 1,277 wounded.
That same day, Iran responded with ballistic missile and drone attacks, which caused significant material damage, 24 deaths, and 592 injuries, according to Israel’s Government Press Office.
Tel Aviv and Tehran regard each other as bitter enemies, and Israel’s current campaign marks its largest operation against Iran to date, signifying a shift from a shadow war of sabotage and assassinations to open military confrontation.
