Norwegian Air Shuttle Forced to Cancel Emergency Evacuation Flight

Norwegian Air Shuttle, the well-known airline, has had to cancel an emergency evacuation flight from Tel Aviv to Oslo. The unfortunate reason behind this cancellation is the lack of insurance coverage. The airline had previously cancelled all scheduled flights to Israel until December; however, they successfully operated a rescue flight last night. This flight was able to bring 180 passengers, most of whom were Norwegian citizens and their family members, safely back to Oslo. It is important to note that there were also citizens from other countries on the plane.

Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt stated that the current situation remains very tense and unclear. There are still many Norwegian citizens who are in need of assistance to return home. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working on finding alternative options for Norwegians in the region, as there were not enough seats available on Wednesday's flight.

Although Norwegian Air Shuttle was in the process of setting up an additional flight from Tel Aviv to Oslo for Thursday afternoon, these plans have been abruptly cancelled. The reasoning behind this decision is that the insurance company, which covers the airline as well as several others, no longer provides coverage for flights to Tel Aviv.

According to an emailed statement by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are over 400 registered Norwegian citizens in Israel and just under 100 in Palestine. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any Norwegian casualties or hostages at this time.

In light of the current circumstances, Scandinavian governments are taking action in arranging emergency flights for thousands of their citizens who are currently in Israel.

Evacuation Efforts Underway as Security Situation Worsens in Israel

Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo - The ministries of foreign affairs in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway are taking action to aid their citizens in leaving Israel amidst escalating security concerns. With several major airlines suspending flights to the country, the opportunity for commercial travel out of Israel is rapidly diminishing.

Denmark's Evacuation Plan

The Danish government has announced its intention to organize evacuation flights for Danish citizens, set to commence in the coming days. Estimates indicate that there are currently approximately 1,200 Danes in Israel and 90 in Palestine who may benefit from this initiative.

Sweden's Assisted Departure Flights

In alignment with Denmark's efforts, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has also begun preparations to evacuate Swedes in Israel through assisted departure flights. Sweden boasts a significant population with ties to Israel, as there are about 4,000 permanent residents and 400 individuals each in Gaza and the West Bank.

Swedish Concern over Reported Casualties

The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs' press office recently released an emailed statement acknowledging reports that individuals with connections to Sweden have lost their lives in Gaza. The Swedish Consulate-General in Jerusalem has initiated an investigation into these distressing claims. However, confirming deaths abroad poses significant challenges during such complex circumstances.

The ministry assures the public that it is maintaining open lines of communication with the affected families and continues its efforts to support them during this distressing time.