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Plane set to bring Brazilians from Gaza takes off for Egypt
Aircraft carries water purifiers and medicines
Published on 18/10/2023 - 09:58 By Vitor Abdala - Agência Brasil - Rio de Janeiro
On Wednesday (Oct. 18), the plane tasked with repatriating approximately 30 Brazilians from Gaza departed for Egypt. The Brazilian Air Force aircraft had been stationed in Rome, Italy, since the previous Friday (13), as it awaited authorization to land on Egyptian soil.
Onboard are 40 portable water purifiers and two kits of medicines and supplies, dispatched by the Brazilian government to address the emergency situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been under bombardment by Israel since October 7.
Each kit comprises 48 items, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and bandages, among others. The water purifiers have the capacity to produce clean water for up to 13,500 people daily.
Initially, the plane will land at El-Arish International Airport, situated about 60 kilometers from the Rafah border crossing, which separates Gaza from Egypt, to offload the humanitarian aid. It will then proceed to Cairo, the Egyptian capital, where it will await instructions regarding the evacuation of the Brazilians from Gaza.
In a statement released on Tuesday (17), Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the group of approximately 30 Brazilians, along with their immediate families, are taking shelter in the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, awaiting the opening of the Rafah border crossing.
Translation: Mário Nunes - Edition: Graça Adjuto