Occupied Quds - Saba:
Israeli media outlets have revealed a growing phenomenon, represented by the departure of hundreds of Zionist settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories to the island of Cyprus.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that settlers use private yachts that depart from ports in cities such as Herzliya, Haifa, and Ashkelon, on trips conducted in complete secrecy, away from official oversight, and at high costs reaching thousands of shekels.
The newspaper explained that closed groups on social media coordinate these sea trips, joined by settlers who avoid revealing their identities. They indicate that their departure is not motivated by luxury, but rather by a sense of compulsion and anxiety. A few admit that they are fleeing the "threat of Iranian missiles."
Israeli ports are witnessing the arrival of people carrying small suitcases, searching for yachts bound for Larnaca, Cyprus, as a transit point to other destinations around the world.
The newspaper described the scene of those departing from the port of Herzliya as resembling a "miniature departure station," after observing more than 100 people preparing to set sail, amid the occupation authorities' inability to assess the extent of this phenomenon.
The backgrounds of those leaving vary, according to the newspaper. Some are stranded visitors within Israel, others are seeking to join their families abroad, and some have decided to leave permanently, such as a settler who announced his intention to settle in Portugal at the request of his partner living there.
The sea voyage to Cyprus ranges from 8 to 25 hours, depending on the type and speed of the yacht, and costs start at 2,500 shekels and can reach 6,000 shekels. Despite the substantial financial offers, a number of captains have refused to participate in these unlicensed trips, considering the risk unwarranted, especially since many of them operate without legal insurance or official passenger licenses.
In a related development, the Israeli government issued a decision prohibiting Israelis from traveling on private flights previously designated to rescue those stranded abroad. This came after the Iranian armed forces issued a stern warning to settlers, calling on them to leave the occupied Palestinian territories as "the only option to ensure their lives."
Although no official announcement has been issued linking the decision to fears of a mass exodus, the timing of the ban coincides with heightened regional tensions and a major Iranian strike, along with growing Israeli anxiety amid an unprecedented rise in the number of deaths, injuries, and destruction.
Observers point out that Athens and Larnaca have long been favorite destinations for Israelis in times of emergency, but the authorities' warning against traveling to them without providing a realistic alternative could be understood as a move aimed at containing uncoordinated mass migration and preserving the image of "stability" that the Netanyahu government seeks to cultivate.
The decision also appears to be part of the government's efforts to control the flow of information and prevent the circulation of footage of a mass exodus that could harm the official narrative and undermine public confidence in the security establishment's ability to control the situation.
According to Hebrew media estimates, there are between 100,000 and 200,000 Israelis currently abroad and in need of evacuation flights. However, due to the escalation of hostilities over the past two days, these flights are not expected to begin before next Thursday.
With American support, the Israeli enemy launched a large-scale attack on Iran at dawn on Friday, bombing nuclear facilities and missile bases and assassinating military leaders and nuclear scientists, leaving a total of 224 dead and 1,277 wounded.
That same evening, Iran began responding with ballistic missile and drone attacks, which, by dawn on Monday, had left approximately 22 dead, more than 675 wounded, and significant material damage, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health and Hebrew media.