The Israeli-Palestine conflict has led to an evaluation of the continued stay of diplomats in Israel. The latest country to evaluate the continued stay of its diplomats in Israel is Peru.
The Peruvian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says it is evaluating the situation in the Middle East, especially in Israel, where its delegation resides.
The announcement was made by the country’s ambassador to Middle Eastern countries, Manuel Cacho-Sousa, who also stated that he was relieved and felt a sense of satisfaction having masterminded the evacuation of Peruvians who requested to leave.
He stated the panic faced by his immediate family and that of other members of the delegation, as well as the possibility of the diplomats getting evacuated.
“We are three Peruvian diplomats (based in Israel); our families also ask us when we are going to be evacuated because they are worried. This possibility is being evaluated; it will depend on how the situation unfolds,” Cacho-Sousa indicated.
He further stated, “I am in contact with the Foreign Affairs Ministry; they have expressed their concern and interest; I value and appreciate that very much. The Foreign Affairs Ministry does not abandon us.”
About 160 compatriots who enlisted at the Embassy have been evacuated from conflict-prone areas and have since arrived in Peru safely.
According to Cacho-Sousa, more compatriots have enlisted for evacuation. He said there are 20 compatriots registered to leave Israel, and some of them are distressed since they arrived in the Middle East.
However, he was quick to announce the disappearance of Margit Schneider-Zimmermann, a compatriot kidnapped alongside her family.
He said she remains the only missing compatriot, and her absence is of great concern to Peru.
The recent conflict in Gaza has raised fears about the security of diplomats in Israel, with some countries considering the evacuation of their embassy staff before hostilities escalate further.
At about 6:30 a.m. on October 7, 2023, armed Hamas militants, some on motorcycles, launched a deadly attack on Israel through a deliberate and coordinated attack, deploying an estimated 2,200 rockets. The attack provoked Israel into a direct response, leading to a full-blown arm conflict between them.
