Lula government calls for immediate end to Israel’s land incursion into Lebanon

The Brazilian government stated, on Tuesday afternoon (1st), that it follows “with grave concern” the land military operations of the Israeli army in South Lebanon. For Itamaraty, the Israeli action violates international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.

“In reaffirming the defense of full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, Brazil urges Israel to immediately stop land incursions and air attacks on densely populated civilian areas in that country,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement.

Israel began the ground offensive in Lebanon this Monday (30) after the escalation of the conflict with the Shiite group Hezbollah. In the most recent development, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched a missile attack on Israel on Tuesday.

The Lula government stated that it “deplores the continuation of Israeli air attacks on various regions of the country, which have caused, since the 17th, the death of more than 1000 people, including 2 Brazilian teenagers and their parents, as well as a toll of thousands of injured.”

Brazilians Mirna Raef Nasser, 16 years old, from Balneário Camboriú (SC), and Ali Kamal Abdallah, 15 years old, from Foz do Iguaçu (PR), were killed in Israeli bombings in Lebanon last week. Around 21 thousand Brazilians live in the country.

Itamaraty appealed “to all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and to achieve, with the utmost urgency, a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire”.

And he highlighted UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), calling for a “complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.” Furthermore, it also calls on the international community to use all diplomatic instruments at its disposal in order to contain the worsening of the conflict.

Itamaraty reinforces request for Brazilians to leave conflict area

The Brazilian government reinforced the warning for everyone to leave the conflagrated areas and follow the safety guidelines of local authorities. Furthermore, he asked those who have the resources to do so to try to leave Lebanese territory by their own means.

Beirut airport continues to operate for commercial flights. Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense jointly organize a repatriation flight to remove Brazilians.

The KC-30 aircraft is expected to take off this Wednesday (2) from Galeão Air Base, in Rio de Janeiro, bound for Beirut airport, in Lebanon, with a scheduled stopover in Lisbon, Portugal.

“We already have a list that we are preparing. On this first flight there will be around 230, 240 people at most. It is the capacity of the plane, but there will be others as needed”, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira.

See the full note from the Brazilian government

“The Brazilian government monitors, with grave concern, the carrying out of ground military operations by the Israeli army in South Lebanon, in violation of international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.

It also deplores the continuation of Israeli air attacks on various regions of the country, which, since the 17th, have caused the death of more than 1000 people, including 2 Brazilian teenagers and their parents, as well as thousands of injured people.

By reaffirming the defense of full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, Brazil urges Israel to immediately stop ground incursions and air attacks on densely populated civilian areas in that country.

The Brazilian government also renews its appeal to all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and to achieve, with the utmost urgency, a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

Recalls the need to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), in particular, the call for a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and respect for the Blue Line, as well as calling on the international community to use all diplomatic instruments available to contain the worsening of the conflict.

The Embassy in Beirut continues to monitor the situation of nationals in Lebanon, in permanent contact with Brazilians in the country, to whom it continues to provide emergency consular assistance. Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense jointly organize a repatriation flight to remove Brazilians.

The Brazilian government reiterates its warning for everyone to leave the conflagrated areas, follow the security guidelines of local authorities and, for those who have the resources to do so, try to leave Lebanese territory by their own means. Beirut airport continues to operate for commercial flights.

The Itamaraty consular duty number remains available, in case of need: +55 (61) 98260-0610 (with WhatsApp)”.