Argentina moved quickly to secure its citizens from the violence surrounding Israel after the Hamas terror attacks claimed hundreds of innocent lives.
It is the Latin American nation with the largest Jewish population, and the plan is to evacuate 1,419 Argentinians from Israel through Rome. Foreign Ministry data revealed this number of Argentinian nationals registered to leave the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero told a press conference that the country will utilize Hercules C-130 aircraft deployed by the Air Force, the Defense Ministry and Aerolineas Argentinas.
He declared an “air bridge from Tel Aviv and Rome” will be established to protect Argentinian lives. Cafiero said arrangements are being made through the AMIA Jewish Community Center to evacuate citizens from Israel.
Cafiero on Thursday revealed on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that a planeload of 49 Argentinians had arrived safely in Rome.
They will be afforded assistance through the embassy as well as short-term shelter before being flown to South America. After that first flight from Tel Aviv, the goal is to have up to 210 Argentinians on each subsequent trip from Israel.
Nigeria, Argentina, Switzerland, Others Evacuate Citizens As Israel-Hamas War Rages pic.twitter.com/93q3cUEKOV
— IBRAHIM .A. OYEDEPO ALMARKAZY (@OAlmarkazy) October 11, 2023
The war between Israel and Hamas began when terrorists crossed the border and went on a murderous rampage. Several hundred Israelis were brutally murdered as civilians were slaughtered in their homes and on the streets.
Besides the estimated 1,300 killed, over 500 at last report remain hospitalized due to injuries suffered at the hands of terrorists. Many of those are attempting to recover from life-threatening injuries.
An estimated 150 Israelis, including numerous women and children, were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. They were forcefully taken back into Gaza to be used as pawns and human shields against the backlash the Palestinians knew would come from Israel.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that there currently were 17 Americans unaccounted for in Israel.
Hamas also launched over 5,000 rockets into Israel and even now continues to attack the southern and central areas.
Israel is preparing a massive ground operation into Gaza, and many see this as a protracted action that could spread into a wider war. Several other nations, including Canada and Germany, are moving to retrieve their citizens from the area.
The U.S. has an estimated 500,000 citizens currently living in Israel.
