Last Thursday, a decisive airlift concluded with the arrival of 139 Spaniards and their family members who had been sheltering in Gaza, landing at Madrid’s Torrejón military airport to complete a three day joint evacuation operation coordinated by the Ministry of Defense alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mission, carefully planned and executed, demonstrated a strong bilateral effort to safeguard the welfare of Spanish citizens affected by the crisis in the region and to facilitate a safe and orderly return home. The arrival marked a somber but hopeful moment for those who had endured uncertainty, bringing a conclusion to an extensive process that required logistical precision, diplomatic coordination, and unwavering concern for those in harm’s way.
The evacuees were brought to Madrid aboard an Armed Forces’ A330 aircraft, arriving in the late afternoon after a long, arduous journey. In total, 85 Spanish citizens with Palestinian ties and their accompanying relatives made the trip, including 64 children. Among the minors were three babies, underscoring the deeply human dimension of the evacuation and the emotional weight carried by each family member as they stepped onto home soil after days of disruption and fear. The careful care for families and the attention to the needs of the youngest passengers highlighted the operators’ commitment to safety and dignity throughout the operation. The return of these families is a powerful reminder of the real lives behind each statistic in a crisis and the importance of sustained support for those affected as they begin the process of recovery and reintegration into daily life in their home country. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation)
Upon their arrival, the evacuees were warmly received by two senior government figures, signaling the symbolic significance of the operation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with the Minister of Defense, extended assurances of continued attention to the families’ needs and outlined the broader humanitarian aim of ensuring safe passage for citizens in distress. The event also spurred public statements that stressed the necessity of pursuing ceasefire negotiations, enabling safe humanitarian corridors, and laying groundwork for a durable peace process in the region. The ministers emphasized that protecting lives and restoring stability go hand in hand with diplomatic efforts to resolve the underlying conflict, and they reaffirmed Spain’s ongoing commitment to international cooperation aimed at alleviating human suffering. This moment was framed not only as a return home but as a reaffirmation of shared values and international responsibility in times of crisis.