229 Brazilians return to the country from Lebanon in first repatriation flight amid Middle East tensions

São Paulo, Brazil – On Sunday morning, a Brazilian Air Force plane carrying 229 citizens repatriated from Lebanon landed at São Paulo’s Guarulhos Air Base. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was present to welcome the group during a reception ceremony.

“I hope you find the happiness in Brazil that this bombing has taken away from you. And that we can rebuild our lives in peace here in Brazil. You know that Brazil has around eight or nine million Arabs and their descendants, most of them Lebanese. We are grateful, because you helped build the city of São Paulo, the state of São Paulo and Brazil,” Lula said.

This marked the first repatriation flight for Brazilians who requested to leave Lebanon following the escalating violence between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. Approximately 21,000 Brazilians reside in Lebanon, and at least 3,000 have already informed authorities of their desire to return to Brazil.

Just hours after touching down in Guarulhos, the KC-30 aircraft took off again, continuing the operation. The second group of repatriates is expected to arrive in Brazil by Tuesday. The Brazilian government aims to rescue around 500 citizens each week as the conflict intensifies.