Israel evacuates embassy staff in Egypt, Morocco amid pro-Palestine demonstrations

Ahram Online , Wednesday 18 Oct 2023

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has evacuated embassy staff in Egypt and Morocco amid ongoing pro-Palestine demonstrations in the two countries, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Wednesday.

Egyptian protesters burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration to show solidarity with Palestinians
Egyptian protesters burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration to show solidarity with Palestinians, in front of the Journalists Syndicate in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. AP

 

The evacuation is part of the heightened state of alert declared in all Israeli embassies worldwide, Yedioth Ahronoth says. 

The newspaper clarified that the ministry is working on relocating envoys from countries considered sensitive to more secure locations while directing ambassadors to stay in their residences.

On Wednesday afternoon, thousands took to the streets across several Egyptian cities in solidarity with Gaza.

During demonstrations that took place in Alexandria and Giza, citizens condemned the Israeli army's shelling of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which resulted in the tragic loss of at least 600 Palestinian civilians.

Additionally, hundreds of students from El-Fayoum University organized protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Similar demonstrations unfolded at universities in Alexandria, Mansoura, Minya, Sohag, and Cairo, including one at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

El-Sisi has declared a period of national mourning for three days for the innocent Palestinian victims of the hospital shelling, a statement by the Egyptian presidency announced on Wednesday. 

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