Mexico deploys planes to Israel to bring home its nationals
Two Mexicans are believed to have been among those taken by Hamas, foreign minister says
09 October 2023 - 17:25
byLizbeth Diaz, Raul Cortes Fernandez and Valentine Hilaire
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Israeli security forces stand near the site of a rocket strike from Gaza in Tel Aviv, October 7 2023. Picture: AMIR LEVY/GETTY IMAGES
Mexico City — The Mexican army is carrying out a humanitarian flight aimed at bringing home nationals from Israel amid the attack on the country by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, the defence ministry said on Monday.
An unknown number of hostages were taken by Hamas after it launched a surprise attack in Israel on Saturday. Two Mexicans are believed to have been among those taken by the group, foreign minister Alicia Barcena said on Sunday.
Mexico said on Monday about 5,000 nationals are in Israel.
About 300 Mexicans have asked to leave, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a press conference on Monday.
The plane leaving on Monday has a capacity of about 170 passengers. A second plane was to leave later in the day.
Elsewhere in Latin America, Peru’s foreign ministry said two citizens have been reported missing, while one Panamanian citizen is also among those missing, according to local authorities.
Two Paraguayan citizens have also been reported missing, the country’s foreign ministry said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Mexico deploys planes to Israel to bring home its nationals
Two Mexicans are believed to have been among those taken by Hamas, foreign minister says
Mexico City — The Mexican army is carrying out a humanitarian flight aimed at bringing home nationals from Israel amid the attack on the country by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, the defence ministry said on Monday.
An unknown number of hostages were taken by Hamas after it launched a surprise attack in Israel on Saturday. Two Mexicans are believed to have been among those taken by the group, foreign minister Alicia Barcena said on Sunday.
Mexico said on Monday about 5,000 nationals are in Israel.
About 300 Mexicans have asked to leave, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a press conference on Monday.
The plane leaving on Monday has a capacity of about 170 passengers. A second plane was to leave later in the day.
Elsewhere in Latin America, Peru’s foreign ministry said two citizens have been reported missing, while one Panamanian citizen is also among those missing, according to local authorities.
Two Paraguayan citizens have also been reported missing, the country’s foreign ministry said.
Reuters
Israel pounds Gaza as it sends combat divisions to battle Islamist militants
Spiralling violence threatens to spill into Middle East war
Israel-Hamas clashes lift bonds, hurt global stocks
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.