Utah Family Escapes Israel War Zone After Fulfilling Late Mother's Wish

The Ivins family's trip to Israel was cut short due to the outbreak of war, but they made it home safely.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A Utah family of over 30 members traveled to Israel to fulfill the dying wish of their late matriarch, Kay Ivins, to visit the country. However, their trip was cut short when war broke out during their stay, forcing them to make a harrowing escape through Egypt to eventually return home to Salt Lake City.

Why it matters

The Ivins family's experience highlights the risks and challenges that travelers can face, even when visiting a country for deeply personal reasons. Their story also underscores the importance of being prepared for unexpected events and having contingency plans when traveling internationally.

The details

The Ivins family, led by Kay Ivins' husband Jim, had planned the trip for years to honor Kay's dream of visiting Israel. After a week of touring the region, they were preparing to depart from Tel Aviv when they received an alert warning them to stay at their hotel and not miss their flight. Sirens soon sounded, and the family realized war had broken out. They rushed to the airport but found all flights canceled. With the help of a Palestinian bus driver, the family was able to reach the Egyptian border, where they faced a three-hour ordeal to cross on foot. They finally secured flights out of Egypt to Europe and then back to Salt Lake City, where an emotional homecoming awaited them.

  • The Ivins family traveled to Israel in late February 2026.
  • War broke out in Israel on the Friday before the family was scheduled to depart.
  • The family spent an extra day in Egypt before securing flights to Europe and then back to Salt Lake City.
  • The family arrived home safely in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Kay Ivins

The late matriarch of the Ivins family, who had a dream of visiting Israel that she was unable to fulfill before her passing from a brain aneurysm several years ago.

Jim Ivins

Kay Ivins' husband, who led the family trip to Israel to honor his late wife's wish.

Tanya Ivins Whitney

One of Kay and Jim Ivins' daughters, who said the family felt Kay's presence with them throughout the trip and their harrowing escape.

Tiffany Ivins Spence

Another of Kay and Jim Ivins' daughters, who described the family's experience of receiving multiple alerts about missile strikes and having to take shelter during the outbreak of war.

Lindsay Ivins

A member of the Ivins family who recounted the difficulties they faced in crossing the border into Egypt and the emotional relief they felt upon finally returning home to Salt Lake City.

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What they’re saying

“She's the one [who] planted the seeds that we were all going to go to Israel.”

— Jim Ivins (fox13now.com)

“It was such a privilege that we got to go on the trip and then to feel her with us.”

— Tanya Ivins Whitney, Daughter (fox13now.com)

“The alerts on the phone sound like a missile dropping. So all of us are getting these alerts, several per minute, times 33 people. And it felt like war was real. And the sirens are going, and we have to go to shelter.”

— Tiffany Ivins Spence, Daughter (fox13now.com)

“We got someone who was willing to be our bus driver. And a coach pulls up, a nice coach that has room for 50, we were only 33.”

— Tanya Ivins Whitney, Daughter (fox13now.com)

“So when we finally touched down in Salt Lake, it was just, surprisingly emotional.”

— Lindsay Ivins, Family Member (fox13now.com)

What’s next

The Ivins family is expected to share more details about their harrowing experience and the fulfillment of Kay Ivins' wish to visit Israel in a local news interview in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Ivins family's ordeal serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of international travel and the importance of being prepared for unexpected events, even when fulfilling a deeply personal dream. Their story highlights the resilience and determination of families who face adversity together.