An Air Self-Defense Force plane has evacuated a total of 83 people, including Japanese and South Koreans, from Israel to Jordan, the Japanese government said Friday, amid the intensifying war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The KC-767 refueling and transport aircraft will arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo early Saturday. The 83 passengers comprise 60 Japanese and 18 South Koreans and their foreign family members, the Japanese foreign and defense ministries said.
Japan dispatched the plane last Saturday and it had been on standby in Jordan since Tuesday in preparation for airlifting Japanese citizens from Israel, where Hamas launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, triggering the ongoing conflict.