The Argentine government started the repatriation of 400 Argentines who were stranded in Israel after the air strikes between the country and Iran forced the closure of the airspace. 

On June 13, Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear sites in what it called a “preemptive” operation dubbed “Rising Lion.” Tehran retaliated, Israel attacked again, and the United States attacked three of Iran’s nuclear sites.

A ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, although media reports have called it “fragile.” That day, the Israeli government authorized Ben Gurion Airport to resume its international flights.

On Monday and Tuesday, the first two IsAir planes landed in Rome with 50 Argentine passengers on board. Two more departures from Tel Aviv are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, with about 170 Argentines in each group.

Passengers registered and signed an affidavit to request assistance from the embassy. The government said that the costs of tickets and hotel accommodation were paid by each passenger, reported the Herald’s sister publication, C5N.com.

In Italy, the Argentine passengers were received by diplomatic personnel and will board flights from Aerolíneas Argentinas, the flag carrier, to Buenos Aires.

The operation was organized by the Argentine Foreign Ministry and was approved by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The Milei administration has fully supported Israel in the conflict. On June 15, it condemned Iran’s retaliatory drone strikes against Israel in the wake of the so-called Operation Rising Lion. A communiqué published last week by the President’s Office called Iran’s attack “vile.”

On Monday, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, celebrated Monday’s bombing of Iran’s Evin prison on X using Milei’s most famous slogan. “¡Viva la libertad, carajo!” (Long live freedom, damn it!), Saar wrote in a post confirming the strike.