The cruise ship Crown Iris docked at Limassol port on Saturday morning, bringing around 1,600 foreign nationals from Israel. At the same time, the boarding of Israeli citizens for their repatriation is underway.

This marks the vessel’s second journey to and from Limassol as part of Israel’s “Safe Return” operation. The Crown Iris has suspended its scheduled cruises for the season in order to support the repatriation effort.

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, the ship arrived at Larnaca port with roughly 1,500 foreign nationals. On Thursday, it made its first call at DP World Limassol’s passenger terminal, where it took on board about 1,600 Israelis, who later disembarked at Ashdod port, chosen over Haifa.

Most of the foreign nationals who arrived in Limassol today are young people from the United States and Europe with Jewish heritage. They told CNA they had been participating in the Birthright Israel heritage program and are now returning home in an organized manner.

Dozens of buses were mobilized to transport them either directly to the airport or to tourist accommodations, where they will stay until their flights out of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, about 1,600 Israelis began boarding the ship this morning to return home. As in Thursday’s operation, many told CNA that, despite the ongoing conflict, they were determined to return in order to be with their families.

The Crown Iris is scheduled to depart Limassol later this afternoon and is expected back on Monday, this time carrying a smaller number of foreign nationals before once again boarding Israelis for repatriation.

The routes are set to continue every two days, with the vessel due back in Limassol next Thursday and Saturday.