Brazil evacuated 32 people from the West Bank

Brasilia, Nov 2.- The Government of Brazil evacuated 32 people residing in the West Bank, in another stage of the so-called Operation Returning in Peace, as a result of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

According to the Planalto Palace, headquarters of the Executive Branch, three technical stops are planned on the route: one in Rome, Italy. The second in Las Palmas, Spain, and the third in Recife, now in national territory.

Arrival will be at the Brasilia Air Base, around 05:30 local time tomorrow.

The official text indicates that, in this new stage of the federal government's operation, the Brazilian Representation in Ramallah organized a complex rescue operation for 32 passengers from 12 families.

There are 12 men, 9 women and 11 children. In the group, six elderly people, two of them in wheelchairs.

Three vehicles, including buses and vans, rented by the Brazilian representation, took passengers from 11 cities in the West Bank to the city of Jericho.

The vehicles were identified with the Brazilian flag. For security purposes, the signs, routes and passenger lists were reported to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities, explained ambassador Alessandro Candeas. The measure was essential to avoid bombings along the way.

In Jericho, everyone completed the immigration procedures. From there, they crossed the border with Jordan and then boarded another bus chartered by the Brazilian Government to Amman, the country's capital. A trip of just over an hour.

When this flight is completed, the federal government's Operation Returning in Peace will have guaranteed the safe return of 1,445 passengers, on eight flights from Israel and one from Jordan, all commanded by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).

In total, there are 1,440 Brazilians, three Bolivians, one Palestinian and one Jordanian, in addition to 53 pets.

Also in the Gaza Strip, a region that does not have a border with the West Bank, another group of 34 Brazilians is still waiting for authorization to cross the border with Egypt, the only viable way to take another FAB flight waiting in Cairo.

This Wednesday, the border was opened for the first time since the start of the conflict for the departure of wounded Palestinians and a group of about 450 foreigners.

This first list included nationals of Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Indonesia, Jordan, Japan, Czech Republic, professionals from the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations.

The Planalto note indicates that Brazilian diplomacy and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva remain directly involved in negotiations to guarantee humanitarian aid in the region, to negotiate a ceasefire and enable the opening of the border for the return of Brazilians. (Text and photo: PL)