As Ben Gurion Airport remains closed and missile and drone attacks from Iran continue, between 50,000 and 100,000 Israelis are stuck abroad with no certainty as to when they can return.
Israelis took to Facebook groups over the weekend to ask for assistance abroad or help finding a place to stay. Simultaneously, scores of individuals went on the same groups to offer apartments or rooms in various cities worlwide.
"P" told The Jerusalem Post that it is "heartbreaking" to be separated from his wife and family while stuck abroad.
"I should be there to protect my family," he said, but noted that he "trusts in the IDF and know [they] are doing what is necessary to bring us peace."
Eden, who is stuck in Portugal, told the Post that "it’s obviously heartbreaking on a national level, but I’m also extremely disappointed on a personal level as well, not to mention the extra cost of staying out of the country where I don’t have family and friends to house me."
"I’m super thankful for the network of people in Israel who have helped out!" Eden said. "I don’t think most cultures have the level of solidarity that we do and it’s not taken for granted!"
C. told the Post she is away from her daughter who is in a boarding school. "I'm devastated and emotionally and mentally on edge," she said. "I feel hopeless and trying to keep it all together. It's bad enough going through this with your family's around but imagine been a 14 year old alone."
Many stuck in Cyprus or Greece after their connecting flights home got canceled
One Facebook user posted to say their parents were stuck abroad without medication. Another reached out for help as they were stuck in Switzerland, but later posted to say Chabad had provided assistance. Many reported being stuck in Cyprus and Greece after their connecting flights to Tel Aviv were canceled.
As a result of the situation, several organizations began initiatives to help Israelis stuck abroad, such as the New York and New Jersey branch of the Hostage Families Forum which created a google form to find housing for individuals in the area who are unable to return to Israel.
"In this difficult time, as our brothers and sisters are under attack, we once again turn to our community for strength and support," the forum said.
Nevertheless, authorities have also warned of scams and potential hostile threats behind some of the initiatives.
On Saturday, a website named Lion Nights was circulated on social media claiming to help Jews living abroad.
The Foreign Ministry reported that the website "collects information about Jewish and Israeli families living abroad and invites "hosting Jews and Israelis"" but that it "is very possible that this website is operated by hostile elements who want to locate Israeli and Jewish families and harm them."
It warned Israelis not to fill out the form under any circumstances, and to contact the Situation Center, operated by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is staffed 24/7 in emergencies only.