Brazil announces a mission to repatriate its citizens from Israel and Palestine

Brazil announced this Sunday a mission to repatriate its citizens from Israel, Palestine and other countries in the Middle East, after the escalation of the conflict in the region that has caused more than 1,100 deaths so far.

The Commander of the Aeronautics, Brigadier Marcelo Damasceno, stated in a press conference, together with the Minister of Defense, José Múcio, that they have six aircraft ready to begin the operation, scheduled to begin next week.

“We are the first country to carry out this type of operation in the region,” declared.

According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are 14,000 Brazilians residing in Israel and 6,000 in Palestine, the vast majority of whom live far from the area affected by the attacks of the last few hours.

The objective is not only to rescue fellow citizens of Israel and Palestine who wish to return to Brazil, but also those who are in surrounding countries, such as Jordan and Egypt.

In relation to Brazilians who are in the Palestinian Territories, the Government said in a note that “seeks to facilitate the necessary conditions that allow the implementation of an evacuation plan.”

Brazil has prepared two KC-30 aircraft, with capacity for 230 passengers each; two KC-390, which can carry up to 80 people; and two more provided by the Presidency, which can transport up to 40.

Depending on the demand, they will use one model or another to carry out the rescue, in the midst of the offensive by Palestinian militias from Gaza, led by the Islamist movement Hamas, in Israeli territory and the bombings of the Israeli Army in retaliation.

According to the Brazilian Government’s plans, a first plane will head to Italy in the next few hours and will await instructions there until the first passenger list is closed.

“We have six planes ready for this mission for which we are going to carry medical and psychological equipment”Damasceno explained.

According to the latest official report, the attacks by Gaza militias on Israel have caused at least 700 deaths, while on the Palestinian side there are more than 400 deaths, as a result of the bombings by the Israeli Army.

According to the Brazilian Government, three Brazilians with dual nationality are missing and another was injured, although he has already been discharged, during the celebration of a music festival less than 20 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed his “rejection” to the “terrorist attacks” in Israel and guaranteed that “Brazil will spare no effort to avoid an escalation of the conflict.”

For the progressive president, the solution is to guarantee “the existence of an economically viable Palestinian State, peacefully coexisting with Israel within secure borders for both parties.”