Flight to repatriate Brazilians in Lebanon takes off Wednesday

A Brazilian Air Force plane will take off from Galeão Airport Air Base in Rio de Janeiro for Lebanon on Wednesday (Oct. 2) to repatriate a group of Brazilians trapped in the country as a result of the Israeli government’s escalation of violence there. Authorization was given by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Dubbed Operação Raízes do Cedro (“Operation Cedar Roots”), the Air Force will use a KC-30 aircraft to repatriate 220 Brazilians from the airport in Beirut, the capital of the Middle Eastern country. The flight will make a stopover to refuel in Lisbon, both on the outward and return journeys. Other flights have not yet been confirmed, but should take place over the next few days.

The largest community of Brazilians in the Middle East is currently in Lebanon. In all, 21 thousand Brazilians live in the country. Last week, Israeli bombings in Lebanon caused the death of two Brazilian teenagers.

According to the Air Force, in addition to the aircraft’s operational crew, the flight team will be made up of military health personnel (doctors, nurses, and psychologists), who will be ready to provide the necessary support during the mission.