Americans in Israel Await Flights Home Amid Conflict

Tourists and visitors face transportation challenges as Israel hopes to reopen airport for limited flights.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Since the start of the war following a strike in Iran, transportation for tourists and visitors in Israel has become increasingly difficult. One U.S. citizen, Diana Kosayev, has been trapped in Israel since March 28th and is still waiting for a flight home. Kosayev has been taking cover in an apartment bomb shelter as missiles head toward nearby cities, describing the experience as 'crazy' and saying she has never felt such fear before.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted travel plans for many Americans visiting Israel, leaving them stranded and facing safety concerns. This highlights the broader challenges of traveling to conflict zones and the need for contingency plans when political tensions escalate.

The details

Officials in Israel hope to reopen the airport for limited commercial flights on Sunday, March 10th. Kosayev, who grew up in Israel as a child, says everything shut down shortly after the first siren went off on the morning of March 28th. She has been taking cover in an apartment bomb shelter as missiles head toward nearby cities, describing the experience as 'crazy' and saying she has never felt such fear before.

  • On March 28th, the first siren went off at around 8 a.m., marking the start of Kosayev's ordeal.
  • Officials in Israel hope to reopen the airport for limited commercial flights on Sunday, March 10th.

The players

Diana Kosayev

A U.S. citizen who has been trapped in Israel since March 28th and is still waiting for a flight home.

Israel

The country where the conflict is taking place and where Kosayev is currently stranded.

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What they’re saying

“Bombs coming toward your city. So already you are panicking inside. You feel like you are ready for that. And then you hear the siren outside, and it is pretty strong, so you are panicking.”

— Diana Kosayev

“Fear, yeah. I feel something that I never felt before. And I left behind my four kids and my husband, so it is very tough for them there.”

— Diana Kosayev

What’s next

Officials in Israel hope to reopen the airport for limited commercial flights on Sunday, March 10th, which could allow Kosayev and other stranded Americans to finally return home.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges and risks faced by American travelers caught in the midst of escalating international conflicts, underscoring the importance of having contingency plans and closely monitoring travel advisories when visiting regions with political instability.