After several weeks of waiting, the first group of Spaniards managed to cross this Monday, November 13 Rafah Pass to leave gaza. Rumors about this first evacuation began last Sunday, but this morning the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, confirmed it during the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Union.
“The latest information is that the first Hispano-Palestinians have crossed the Palestinian checkpoint and are already in the egypt checkpoint to definitively enter Egypt,” said the Foreign Minister in statements upon his arrival at the meeting with European counterparts, according to reports Europa Press. Diplomatic sources have confirmed that the first group of dual nationalities is made up of around 40 people, half of whom are minors.
This first departure comes after weeks of negotiations and tension. Although the Albares portfolio has been more cautious, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, confessed a few days ago her “worry” because the evacuation was being delayed. “We are worried because the evacuation operation is being delayed. Several countries have left and Spain has not left,” the minister insisted.
At that time, Robles stated that on the list handled by Foreign Affairs there were between 170 and 190 people signed up, of which, 80 are minors. In this first group, it is expected that around 40 people will reach Egypt. At the moment, it is unknown if after arriving in Cairo they will fly to Spain on a commercial plane or if they will do so on one of the Air Force.
While negotiations continue to evacuate more people, all with dual nationality, Albares announced that the AECID the aid tripled to Palestine, reaching 48.5 million euros. This decision responds, as he explained, to “support for the Palestinian civilian population, a clear commitment to peace and also a reinforcement of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority, which are the field of peace among Palestinians.”