Current:Home > MySafeX Pro Exchange|American mother living in Israel says U.S. evacuation effort "confusing" amid Israel-Hamas war: "It's a mess" -TradeWisdom
SafeX Pro Exchange|American mother living in Israel says U.S. evacuation effort "confusing" amid Israel-Hamas war: "It's a mess"
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-07 01:17:35
Thousands of American citizens in Israel are SafeX Pro Exchangewaiting in fear as the U.S. works out evacuation plans. Among them is Jessica Nagar Zindani, a resident of southern Israel who has been living in a bomb shelter with her three children.
Nygaard told "CBS Mornings" on Friday that efforts to get Americans out of Israel have been "confusing."
"It's a mess," Zindani said.
"Not just a lack of information, but it's also really scary because just getting the kids in the car at this point is — it comes down to seconds," she said.
Zindani said the U.S. State Department's STEP program, which can help with assisting American citizens abroad during crises, "doesn't work" for residents like her who are not on vacation or a trip, "so it's not sending you the alerts."
"Basically we have had to facilitate calling the embassy, calling whomever we can to get any information, and usually that's none — that isn't any information," she said.
Dozens of airlines have canceled flights from Israel since Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip, which is run by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The U.S. announced Thursday it would begin arranging charter flights to help get Americans out of Israel starting Friday.
At least 20,000 U.S. citizens have reached out to the State Department since the Hamas attacks through online forms or via phone calls. A spokesperson said the department has sent messages to let people know they will provide detailed information to "any U.S. citizen who indicates interest in departure assistance."
After leaving Israel and arriving in other locations, people would be able to "make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice," the State Department said. It plans to "augment" the initial transportation options in the coming days.
The State Department also said it was in touch with multiple citizens currently in Gaza requesting assistance to depart. The spokesperson said the department was in contact with their Egyptian counterparts to explore "options based on the security situation on the ground and what is possible."
U.S. citizens needing assistance are being asked to reach out to the State Department via its website.
Zindani and her children are trying to go to California, where they have family, but are waiting for more information from the U.S. to help get them out of Israel.
"CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil said two of his children, who live in Israel, are also waiting for more information from the U.S. on when they will be able to leave.
"There are some commercial options as a fallback, but the government flights should come together," Dokoupil said. "We got an email saying to prepare, a 12-hour warning, but haven't gotten confirmation, which sounds like Jessica [Zindani] hasn't either. The communication has been a little bit lacking."
In a heart-wrenching decision, Zindani said her husband, whose family lives in Israel, has decided to remain in the country to fight for their home and support his family.
"He is going to fight for our home. He's going to fight for the ability to continue to have a home, and I cannot — I wouldn't deny him that, and I know how much that means to him," Zindani said.
Israel's military said Hamas' attack and ongoing rocket fire had killed more than 1,300 people as of Friday, and at least 27 Americans are known to be among the dead. In Gaza, the Health Ministry said at least 1,799 people, including 583 children, had been killed by Israel's retaliatory strikes as of Friday, with more than 6,600 others wounded.
Cara Tabachnick contributed to this article.
- In:
- Palestine
- Israel
veryGood! (6)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Grizzly bear kills couple and their dog at Banff National Park in Canada
- Saudi Arabia says it will maintain production cuts that have helped drive oil prices up
- Deputy dies after being shot while responding to Knoxville domestic disturbance call
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Jill Biden urges women to get mammograms or other cancer exams during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- El Chapo's sons purportedly ban fentanyl in Mexico's Sinaloa state
- DOJ says Veterans Affairs police officer struck man with baton 45 times at medical center
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- 'A real tight-knit group:' Military unit mourns after 2 soldiers killed in Alaska vehicle crash
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- US adds another option for fall COVID vaccination with updated Novavax shots
- US issues first-ever space junk fine against Dish Network in 'breakthrough settlement'
- At $1.2 billion, Powerball jackpot is now third-biggest ever: When is the next drawing?
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Florida man executed by lethal injection for killing 2 women he met in bars a day apart
- Feds target international fentanyl supply chain with ties to China
- NCAA begins process of making NIL rules changes on its own
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Aaron Rodgers takes shot at Travis Kelce, calls Chiefs TE 'Mr. Pfizer' due to vaccine ads
Nichols College president resigns amid allegations of misconduct at Coast Guard Academy
Who voted to oust McCarthy as speaker? See the final tally of the House roll call
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Arrest made in case of motorcyclist seen smashing in back of woman’s car, police say
'Maestro': Bradley Cooper surprises at his own movie premiere amid actors' strike
Los Angeles is using AI to predict who might become homeless and help before they do