JERUSALEM – A government-organized flight carrying Israelis who were stuck overseas due to the conflict with Iran landed in Tel Aviv Wednesday morning. This was part of a special operation to bring them home.

An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis were abroad when Israel Defense Forces fighter jets launched an overnight on Thursday aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program and conventional weapons stockpiles.

Israel immediately closed its airspace, stopping all flights into the country. However, some Israelis were so eager to return home – despite the deadly ballistic missile attacks – that they sought alternative routes.

Yaakov Katz, an author and former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, had his flight from the U.S. diverted to Cyprus Thursday night when Israel began its .

In a long social media post, he recounted being stranded for two days before finding a tugboat to take him and eight others back to Israel.

“Nine of us crammed onto a boat captained by Eli, a seasoned Israeli sailor who asked no questions and simply took the helm,” he wrote.

Speaking to Digital, Katz described the difficult boat ride.

“I wouldn’t say the conditions were ideal, but it was manageable for 17 hours,” he said, explaining his desire to be with his wife and four children while “our country is at war.”

“The thought of not being home with my family was very hard, and despite the risks and the war itself, I don’t think any Israeli would want to be anywhere else at a time like this,” Katz stated.

Shimi Grossman, a volunteer with the Zaka rescue agency, also expressed his urgency to return.

He spent two days traveling from the U.S. to London, and then to Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt. Speaking to Digital from there, Grossman said he planned to take a taxi to the Taba border crossing in southern Israel.

“I needed to get back to help the people in Israel,” the medical volunteer said.

Others have been anxiously waiting, watching the sending civilians running for cover, destroying buildings, and resulting in over 20 fatalities.

“It’s torture,” Josh Hantman, watching from London, told Digital.

On Tuesday, a missile struck a bus depot less than a mile from his home. “Watching a ballistic missile the size of a bus fall near your home, where you know your wife and young children are, is incredibly difficult,” he said.

Transport Minister Miri Regev stated that the government is creating a detailed plan to bring all Israeli citizens home.

She added that domestic airlines had already been moved abroad and were waiting for clearance to return with passengers. Regev also mentioned that a “maritime route” from Cyprus and Greece would soon be available. Israelis have been advised against traveling through neighboring Egypt and Jordan.

For Uzi Sofer, the rescue flights were too late. He was on a business trip to Boston last week and was due to return for his daughter’s wedding on Wednesday.

“I was supposed to fly back on Friday for the wedding this week,” he said, recounting how he managed to get to Budapest, Hungary, but was now waiting for a rescue flight.

However, realizing her father wouldn’t make it back in time, his daughter decided to postpone her wedding until next month.

“I’m not stressed now, but I still want to be in Israel, I want to be with my family,” he said, adding, “God willing, in July, I will get to celebrate twice – the wedding and over Iran.”