Israel sends planes to Amsterdam after soccer violence

An Israeli plane sent to bring back soccer fans from Amsterdam after clashes in the Dutch city has taken off from Ben Gurion airport, the Israel Airports Authority said.

Liza Dvir, spokeswoman for the authority, said that the plane, the first of two, was expected to land in Amsterdam in a few hours to bring fans home after clashes erupted following a Europa League football match.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two rescue planes be sent to the Netherlands after the violence with videos circulating on social media showing street clashes overnight and riot police intervening.

Five people were hospitalised and 62 arrested as a result of the clashes, police said.

"Several reports about last night's events in Amsterdam are circulating on social media," Amsterdam police said in a post on X. "So far, it is known that five people have been taken to the hospital and 62 individuals have been arrested."

The Israeli order to send planes was taken after "a very violent incident" targeting Israeli citizens following the game between Ajax Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, his office said.

An eyewitness captured a video verified by Reuters showing a group of men running near Amsterdam central station, chasing and assaulting other men, as police sirens sounded.

Amsterdam's mayor Femke Halsema said her services were still in the process of ascertaining the full extent of the violence.

"Despite the massive police deployment in the city, Israeli supporters were injured," Ms Halsema said in an Instagram post, adding that the exact figure of victims and people arrested was not yet clear.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was "horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens.