The US Embassy in Israel issued a statement from the US embassy on Shabbos urging US citizens who wish to leave Israel to take advantage of charter flights “while they’re available.”

However, according to the statement, the flights will not be to the US but to “nearby safe locations” and travelers may “not choose their destination.” In addition, travelers will have to “sign an agreement to repay the U.S. government prior to departure.”

“Commercial availability remains limited out of Ben Gurion Airport,” the statement says. ” The U.S. government is facilitating transportation for U.S. citizens; we urge those wishing to leave to take advantage of these charters while they are available.  Please also be aware that the U.S. Government has authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis from Mission Israel. ”

“Sunday, October 15, U.S. citizens should arrive at Ben Gurion Terminal 3 and look for a table with a U.S. flag where U.S. Embassy personnel will be present to provide further instructions and assistance.  Chartered transportation will be to nearby safe locations, not back to the United States and you may not be able to choose your destination.  Seats are on a space-available basis.  We encourage you to arrive early as you may need to wait for an available flight. ”

As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, the United States has joined the dozens of other countries who are providing transportation to their citizens who are stranded in Israel. The first US Transportation Command evacuation flight took off on Friday afternoon, heading to Athens. More followed on Saturday morning.

For the first flights, passengers were contacted and invited to join a specific flight. Beginning Sunday, October 14, US citizens and their immediate family members may arrive at Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3 and approach the desk for US citizens, located on the 2nd floor of the terminal. There will be numerous flights departing, to Athens and Frankfurt, and passengers will be placed, on a first come, first serve basis.

Each traveler must be a US citizen or an immediate family member, such as a spouse or children under age 21 of a US citizen. Each passenger must hold a valid passport. American citizens who do not have valid US passports, should contact Chaim V’Chessed at [email protected] for assistance. Family members who are not US citizens must be eligible for entry to the destination country.

Please note that passengers will be asked to sign an agreement to repay the U.S. government. However, no exact amount has been released. Chaim V’Chessed has been informed that the amount, if eventually charged, will not exceed the equivalent of a full fare economy ticket to the same destination.

Passengers will not be allowed to choose their destination. This arrangement will be most challenging for passengers, who will be therefore be unable to plan onward flights or lodging.

Both Delta and United have bolstered their flight from Athens to New York/Newark, to accommodate passengers arriving from Israel. We are currently unaware if flights have been added between Frankfurt and the United States. However, there are generally many flights to US destinations on a regular basis.