A group of eight Peruvians arrived safely in the capital city, Lima, from Israel on Friday. They had been on a pilgrimage trip when clashes between Islamist group Hamas and the Middle East country broke out.
After spending several days of uncertainty in the conflict zone,
which had begun last weekend and has left thousands dead,
these compatriots landed at Jorge Chavez International Airport in today's early hours and managed to reunite with their relatives.
According to Julia Gaitan, one of the fellow citizens previously stranded in Israel, her family was on a pilgrimage trip with other Peruvians when the attacks began.
"There were more or less 50 people (on the trip); once it all (the attacks) had begun, we were scared because we didn't think that something like this was going to happen," she told TVPeru Noticias.
Amid confusion, these compatriots began their journey back to Peru using their own resources.
Their journey lasted 30 hours, including stopovers.
"Since the moment we began to leave Israel until now, we have been traveling for 30 hours. To get from Israel to Jordan, it was approximately 12 hours under the sun, crossing migrations (checkpoints), a series of experiences. Thank God, everything has turned out well," Percy Loayza said after arriving on Peruvian soil.
According to Modilia Dominguez, this trip will remain in her mind forever.
"It was very difficult because going from border to border, entering other countries without knowing their language, their currency, and all those things were complicated for us as older people," she indicated.
Likewise, they thanked their relatives and friends who showed concern at all times to make sure they arrive home safely.
"We are happy to be back in Peru, much calmer, thanks to our family and friends who have been in constant communication with us so as to be informed about how we were doing," Gaitan added.
Return of Peruvians from Israel
Peru's presidential plane will land in Israel in the early hours of Saturday, October 14, to bring back compatriots who are in Tel Aviv, amid a military conflict.
"The plane will land early in the morning, at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, and 52 Peruvian passengers will be evacuated, mostly stranded people who missed their flights, others considered vulnerable, and Peruvian-Israeli nationals," Peru's Ambassador to Israel Manuel Cacho-Sousa announced.
The diplomat noted that this flight will head to Rome, Italy, and will land at about 5 a.m. (local time) in said city, where it will be received by the President of the Republic Dina Boluarte, who is on a work trip in Europe.
(END) SQH/RRC/MVB
Publicado: 13/10/2023