If all goes well, the first group of Spaniards living in Gaza could depart this Monday. About 40 people are anticipated, according to diplomatic sources. The evacuation marks a five week ordeal for those trapped amid ongoing bombardments and Israel’s siege of the Strip, which has claimed thousands of lives including many children. Several of the slated evacuees are minors.
Spaniards of Palestinian origin were summoned early at the Rafa gate, the border crossing linking Gaza to Egypt. Foreign nationals have exited through this point since the conflict intensified after Israel’s October 7 attack in response to the Hamas assault that killed around 1,400 Israelis.
Once the pass is cleared, the group will be moved to Cairo, and a Spanish Air Force aircraft will bring them home to Spain. Officials cautioned that nothing can be guaranteed in such volatile conditions, and the border verification process is expected to be slow.
The Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem has forwarded the lists to the authorities. One of the first Spaniards who resided in Gaza chose to leave. The process requires authorization from both Israel and Egypt. According to EFE, the daily list is posted each night on the Gaza Transition and Borders Administration’s Facebook page.
Foreigners evacuated from Gaza
About 500 people from Russia, Poland, and Brazil left this Sunday through the same crossing point, which was closed for much of the conflict but briefly reopened during the five weeks of confrontation that devastated the Mediterranean strip. Since the first group departed on November 1, more than 1,400 people have evacuated, primarily foreigners, followed by dual national Palestinians. Among them are passport holders from the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Poland, India, the Philippines, Russia, and Brazil.
Two Spaniards who are humanitarian workers managed to escape in the early days. Médecins Sans Frontières’ anesthetist Raúl Incertis left on November 1, and the next day Jesús Pérez Arellano, an employee of the Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, did so.
A Russian-Palestinian who was evacuated this Sunday told international organizations after crossing the border that he and his family spent nearly 35 days without reliable water, power, or adequate food. At the gate, a standard medical check is performed for those leaving, and many were informed they would go first to Cairo before their final destination.
Evacuation of Spaniards from Gaza
Approximately 180 Spaniards live in Gaza, confirmed by the coordinator of the Spanish community in the region. Saleh El-Sousi expressed confidence that the evacuation would be completed within days. The Foreign Ministry has prepped an operation in Egypt to support the departure of Spaniards from Gaza in the near future.
For the first time since the war began, Spaniards in the Strip received official approval from the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem for their evacuation plans. The majority of Spaniards in Gaza are concentrated in Rafah and Khan Younis, situated in the southern part of the territory where residents have faced intense attacks after months of fighting in the north.