On Monday, Ultra Orthodox Jews embarked on the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship at Haifa Port in northern Israel, assisting in the evacuation of Americans amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. Acting upon the request of the U.S. Embassy in Israel, the Royal Caribbean cruise ship offered Americans the opportunity to depart from Haifa and travel to Cyprus on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The New York Post reported that “thousands” rushed to board the ship, with the boarding call commencing at 8 a.m. local time. While the exact number of evacuated individuals is unknown, the ship has a maximum capacity of 2,500 people.
In a statement to UPI, Royal Caribbean stated, “Royal Caribbean Group is actively supporting the U.S. Department of State in the assisted departure of American citizens.” The State Department estimates that around 500,000 American citizens currently reside in Israel.
Last week, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters about the provision of chartered flights and other alternatives for U.S. citizens seeking to flee the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office revealed that a ceasefire agreement had not yet been reached to allow for the safe exit of civilians and the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip amid the looming possibility of a ground invasion by the Israel Defense Forces.
According to U.S. officials, 27 American citizens were killed in the surprise attack by Hamas militants on October 7 in Israel, and 14 individuals remain unaccounted for. The conflict has caused significant destruction and displacement, with over 400,000 Palestinians already fleeing northern Gaza due to the extensive Israeli aerial bombardment, as reported by the United Nations.
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