Amid the closure of Israeli airspace due to the war, the Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos organization carried out a complex logistical operation to bring hundreds of French bnei yeshivos, stranded in Israel due to the war, back to their homes.

The Ichud, which recently expanded its work outside Israel, arranged the journey, which began in Jerusalem, continued via Sharm el-Sheikh, and is set to conclude in the French Alps, where a historic Shabbos will be held, led by HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, the Rosh Yeshivah of Chevron.

The journey began late at night, as around 200 French yeshiva bochurim gathered in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Jerusalem, where a fleet of buses awaited them. The convoy then traveled south to the Taba border crossing, where they crossed into Egypt under the supervision of representatives from the French Embassy.

From Taba, the group continued to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport in Egypt. There, they received tickets purchased by the organization for two separate flights that departed within the past 24 hours and landed safely in France.

Arrival in France marked only the first stage. From there, the bochurim continued to the French Alps, where a special “extended yeshiva zeman” has been established — a unique initiative taking place for the first time in France, designed to maintain the yeshiva framework for several extra days.

The program will culminate on Shabbos when the bochurim will be zocheh to a special visit by HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, who serves as the Nasi of the Igud Bnei HaYeshivos. HaRav Cohen will spend Shabbos with the bochurim and deliver shiurim and divrei chizzuk.

The project will culminate at a major event scheduled for Sunday, expected to draw Rabbanim, public figures, and community leaders from across France — marking both the conclusion of the rescue operation and the launch of the organization’s expanded activities in the country.

The chairman of the Igud, Rabbi Yehuda Weisfish, updated HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch on the operation, and the Rosh Yeshivah personally reviewed all the details to ensure the safe arrival of the bochurim in France.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)