Morocco Has Evacuated 369 Citizens Since Beginning of Israeli Genocide on Gaza
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.'
Read also: 1000 Israeli Reservists Demand End of 'War' in Gaza
'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. Tags: gaza genocideIsraeli genocideMoroccoNasser Bourita
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
10 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
UN honors fallen Moroccan peacekeeper Karim Temara
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid a solemn tribute to Corporal Karim Temara, a member of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) who lost his life in 2024 while serving with MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the annual ceremony honoring UN staff who died in service, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was posthumously awarded to the Moroccan peacekeeper. Morocco's Ambassador to the UN, Omar Hilale, along with Colonel Najim Assid, military advisor to Morocco's Permanent Mission, attended the tribute, which was held Thursday at the UN headquarters. The ceremony also honored the memory of more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have fallen since 1948, including 57 who died in 2024. «We salute the courage of these men and women who died far from home, serving humanity's most noble cause: peace», Guterres said. He also recalled that over two million peacekeepers have served in 71 missions across the world. Ambassador Hilale extended his condolences to the families of the fallen and praised the commitment of peacekeepers dedicated to peace, security, and universal values. Ahead of the ceremony, a military parade featured three FAR officers stationed at the UN Department of Peace Operations in New York.
Morocco World
12 hours ago
- Morocco World
Western Sahara: UK Endorses Moroccan Autonomy Plan in Landmark Diplomatic Meeting
Rabat – The UK has thrown its full support behind Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a credible and pragmatic solution to the regional dispute over the Western Sahara. The move was formalized in a joint press statement signed Sunday in Rabat by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, during what officials described as a turning point in bilateral ties. 'This is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary to Morocco since 2011,' Bourita noted, addressing reporters alongside Lammy. 'I must remind His Excellency David, my dear friend, that when we met a year ago, we discussed this very matter.' Recalling promises made, Bourita added: 'The first was that, under your mandate, the UK Foreign Secretary would pay an official visit to Morocco. The second was that this visit would mark a turning point, a game-changer, in our bilateral relations.' The visit did just that. The UK affirmed that Morocco's Autonomy Plan, presented in 2007, offers a 'serious, credible, and realistic basis' for resolving the Western Sahara dispute. It also confirmed that UK Export Finance could consider supporting economic development projects in the southern provinces of Morocco, in line with London's broader commitment to mobilize £5 billion in investments across the country. 'This visit is also particularly meaningful due to a major development in the United Kingdom's position on the Moroccan Sahara,' Bourita stated. 'From today onward, we will work together bilaterally, regionally, and internationally, grounding our relations in this strategic partnership.' Bourita described the moment as 'one of great significance, if not historic,' explaining that it coincided with the fifth session of the Morocco–UK Strategic Dialogue, a platform he said would open a 'new phase in our relations.' Moreover, Lammy acknowledged the weight of the Western Sahara issue for Rabat, affirming London's understanding of its historical and political significance. 'The UK knows how important the Western Sahara is to Morocco,' he said, stressing the need to move toward a final settlement. 'The time for a resolution is long overdue. We understand the urgent need to secure a definitive and lasting solution, one that delivers a better future for the people of the region.' The ministers signed four new agreements covering areas such as trade, defense, research, and investment, with more expected in the coming days. The UK's new stance aligns it with other major international powers that support Morocco's territorial integrity. Bourita noted that Morocco does not see this support as a symbolic gesture. 'Morocco has never viewed this international momentum as merely symbolic, nor as a diplomatic gesture to maintain the status quo. Instead, we see it as a concrete path toward resolving a conflict that has persisted for over 50 years.' London's position carries particular weight as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Morocco's foreign minister emphasized the need for renewed UN involvement: 'This is an opportunity for the United Nations and the international community to act, to reach a final resolution based on Morocco's Autonomy Initiative.' He concluded by reiterating the principles that guide Morocco's foreign policy. 'His Majesty has defined two guiding principles for Moroccan diplomacy: clarity and ambition. Through our recent dialogue with the United Kingdom, many issues have now become clear, and this clarity paves the way for ambition.' With the UK now on board, Morocco's autonomy initiative gains new momentum and increasing international power. What had long been a regional stalemate may now be edging closer to a full international consensus — one that reflects changing geopolitical alignments and Morocco's assertive diplomatic strategy. Tags: autonomy planmorocco western saharaUK MoroccoWestern sahara
Ya Biladi
13 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : The United Kingdom supports Morocco's autonomy plan
The United Kingdom considers Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan to be «the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting settlement» of the Sahara dispute. London has committed to supporting this position at bilateral, regional, and international levels, as part of efforts to help resolve the conflict. This position was outlined in a joint communiqué signed in Rabat on Sunday by the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, and Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. The communiqué highlights the United Kingdom's support for the «positive momentum» initiated under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. It also underscores London's recognition of «the importance of the Sahara issue» for Morocco and stresses that a lasting solution would «enhance stability in North Africa» while giving fresh impetus to regional integration and bilateral cooperation. Economic Support for Projects in the Southern Provinces The United Kingdom also confirms, through UK Export Finance, its readiness to provide financial support for economic projects in Morocco's Saharan provinces. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to mobilize up to £5 billion (over 62 billion dirhams) in funding for new projects across the Kingdom. The joint communiqué also reiterates that the UK views Morocco as «a key gateway for Africa's socio-economic development» and reaffirms its intention to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries across the continent. A Position That Reinforces International Support Both sides reaffirm their commitment to the UN-led political process and express full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. They stress the importance of reaching a consensual political solution. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom pledges to «actively support» this mediation and declares itself «ready, willing, and determined» to assist in efforts towards a lasting resolution of the conflict, in the interests of all parties. The UK's position aligns with a growing international consensus in favor of Morocco's autonomy plan. It reinforces the Moroccan initiative as a realistic and unifying solution and further strengthens Morocco's diplomatic standing with major global powers. «It is high time to move this issue forward», the communiqué concludes, calling for an urgent resolution that ensures regional stability and fosters deeper cooperation across North Africa.
