Argentina's Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein travels to Israel to meet with families of hostages

Argentina's Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein arrives in Israel on Saturday as part of a brief diplomatic tour of Middle East countries.

Werthein, who will make stops in three nations, will hold "a meeting with the families of hostages" kidnapped by Hamas while in Israel, President Javier Milei's government said.

"The tour will begin on February 1, with the arrival of the Foreign Minister in Israel, where he will stay for three days," said an official statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Werthein will also travel to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, it revealed.

The main purpose of the diplomatic mission is to hold meetings with political authorities and representatives of the private sector in order to "strengthen bilateral ties, promote trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in strategic areas."

However, it was explained that Werthein "will hold a meeting with relatives of Argentine hostages who have been kidnapped" by Hamas, of whom the government of Javier Milei demand "‘their immediate and unconditional release."

According to Milei's government, nine Argentine-Israeli citizens were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.

– TIMES/AFP