Lula acts quickly and guarantees rescue flight for Brazilians in Lebanon

The war waged by Israel in the Middle East is now progressing on the territory of Lebanon. This Tuesday (1), the Israeli army began the land advance with the justification of reaching Hezbollah targets. The measure comes after air strikes that killed at least two Brazilian citizens: Ali Kamal Abdallah, aged 15, and Mirna Raef Nasser, aged 16.

So that other people with Brazilian citizenship are not victimized, President Lula acted quickly and ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide rescue flights with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), through the Ministry of Defense.

The expectation is that the first flight will take place this weekend and bring the maximum capacity of people on it, around 240. According to Itamaraty, at this first stage, priority will be given to the elderly, pregnant women, children and the sick.

The conditions for the flight to take place are being drawn up according to the security feasibility of Beirut Airport.

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In an auxiliary way, the Ministry also indicated that it will provide support to families who are able to leave the country by their own means.

Lula’s instructions to Chancellor Mauro Vieira take place while the two have agendas in Mexico, on the occasion of Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidential inauguration.

According to Vieira, there is concern about the expansion of war and violence in the region, as it began in the Gaza Strip and is now advancing into Lebanon.

“We are deeply concerned not only about the significant number of Brazilians living in the region, but also about the local populations and the unlimited violence. Therefore, this is a cause for great concern. This week, we participated in several high-level meetings at the United Nations where the topic was discussed”, he said.

Read more: 104 children were victims of Israel’s massive attacks on Lebanon

The Brazilian Embassy in the country estimates there are around 20 thousand Brazilians in Lebanon.

Check out the Ministry’s note on the repatriation flight for Brazilians:

The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ordered a repatriation flight for Brazilians in Lebanon. The operation, coordinated by Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense, will have its date announced in the coming days, after analyzing the safety conditions for the flight. The Brazilian Air Force’s initial planning envisages takeoff from Beirut airport, which is open.

The Embassy in Lebanon is taking the necessary measures to make the operation viable, in permanent contact with the Brazilian community and in close coordination with local authorities.

Rescues

The federal government rescued, in 2023, with 12 repatriation flights, 1,555 people, including Brazilians and relatives who were in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank through Operation Returning in Peace.

In 2006, in his first term, Lula authorized the repatriation of Brazilians to Lebanese territory due to Israeli attacks on the country. At the time, around 800 people were rescued in Lebanon and Syria.