The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) counts around 3 thousand Brazilians who wish to leave Lebanon, amid the escalation of military operations by the Israeli Armed Forces. This is the number of people who approached the Embassy in Beirut with a request for repatriation. The largest community of Brazilians in the Middle East is currently in Lebanon. In total, 21 thousand Brazilians live in the country. 
Since the 17th, Israeli air attacks on several regions of Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people, including two Brazilian teenagers and their parents, as well as thousands of injuries. The situation in Beirut, the country’s capital, is described as “tense and terrible” by Brazilians who are in the regionwith the risk of total war.
THE process of repatriation of Brazilians will begin this Wednesday (2). In the action called Operation Raízes do Cedro, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will use a KC-30 aircraft, with the initial expectation of repatriating 220 Brazilians who are on Lebanese soil, from Beirut airport, which still remains open. The flight will stop for refueling in Lisbon, both on the way out and on the way back. Other flights have not yet been confirmed, but should take place over the next few days.
THE authorization for the operation was given by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. According to him, Brazil will repatriate Brazilians from abroad “wherever necessary” and regretted the behavior of the Israeli government in attacking Lebanon.
