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Doha – The Moroccan government has evacuated 369 of its nationals and their family members from Gaza since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive, according to Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
In a written response to a parliamentary question from the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Bourita revealed that these evacuations were conducted in five separate operations for groups who had expressed their wish to leave Gaza. The most recent evacuation took place on April 8, 2024.
“Due to the intensification of Israeli military operations against Gaza with, as consequences, the closure of border crossings and complications of the security situation, Morocco, like other countries, was forced to suspend evacuation operations from Gaza pending suitable conditions to resume them,” Bourita stated in his response.
“The central services of the ministry and the Kingdom of Morocco’s representations in the concerned countries remain mobilized to monitor the situation of our community in the Gaza Strip and coordinate with the authorities of other countries to facilitate the evacuation of our citizens who are still detained there, when conditions permit,” the minister reassured.
The parliamentary question specifically addressed the case of Moroccan citizen Dounia Aït Zakour, who had given birth and wanted to leave Gaza with her newborn and husband.
According to Bourita, she did not appear at the Rafah crossing on April 8, 2024, as planned and had not informed Morocco’s representation in Ramallah.
The Moroccan embassy in Ramallah has since contacted her to inquire about her situation and request documents for her husband and son in preparation for evacuation when conditions allow operations to resume.
Meanwhile, Morocco has maintained a strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. On March 20, Bourita condemned “vigorously and unequivocally the breaking of the ceasefire and the resumption of Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza,” describing the situation as “grave and very concerning.”
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“These aggressions, which have claimed hundreds of victims in recent days, are unacceptable, condemnable, and hinder the consolidation of peace in the region,” Bourita declared following a ministerial meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
The attacks were part of a renewed Israeli assault that began on March 18, shattering a January 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Israel now faces serious international legal challenges, with the ICJ hearing a genocide case against it for its war on Gaza.
The ICC issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The minister recalled that King Mohammed VI, as President of the Al-Quds Committee, has consistently stressed that a lasting ceasefire is fundamental for preparing the next stages of resolution, insisting that all stakeholders must work to stabilize the ceasefire before moving to subsequent phases.
Public opposition to Israel’s actions remains strong in Morocco. On April 13, tens of thousands of Moroccans participated in a mass protest in Rabat under the banner “Moroccans Against Genocide, Cut Diplomatic Ties with Israel.”
This followed a similar demonstration on April 6, described as “one of the largest protests in recent memory.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports at least 51,065 Palestinians have been killed and 116,505 wounded since Israel’s campaign began 18 months ago.
The Gaza Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, including thousands presumed dead under rubble.
Recent Israeli attacks continue to target civilians. On April 17, at least 45 Palestinians, including entire families, were killed in airstrikes across Gaza targeting homes, tents, and displacement shelters.
Morocco re-established diplomatic ties with Israel in December 2020 but has maintained that this move would not alter its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.
Despite this assurance, many Moroccans continue calling for a complete severance of relations with Israel as the genocide in Gaza continues.
