Israel will begin bringing home tens of thousands of citizens stranded overseas following the closure of its airspace amid escalating conflict with Iran, the transport minister said Tuesday.

Transport Minister Miri Regev estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis remain abroad after Israel launched a surprise air campaign against Iran last week, prompting retaliatory strikes and a halt to commercial flights.

To protect its fleet, Israel had previously moved all commercial aircraft out of the country.

“That step is now complete,” Regev said during a visit to an Iranian strike site. “The next step is to gradually bring Israelis back.”

National carrier El Al said rescue flights will begin Wednesday from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. Low-cost airline Arkia also announced repatriation flights.

The air war follows decades of tension and covert conflict between the two countries. Israel says the offensive is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.