Israel-Gaza latest: First British nationals leave Gaza through Rafah crossing into Egypt, Foreign Office says

Rafah crossing

The first British nationals have left Gaza after passing through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, the Foreign Office has confirmed

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Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 01/11/2023

- 18:53

Updated: 01/11/2023

- 20:17

UK teams are said to be on the ground providing assistance

The first British nationals have left Gaza after passing through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

An unspecified number of Britons have left the region after a list of people who wanted to escape Gaza was agreed with Egyptian and Israeli authorities.


The Foreign Office said: "We are regularly updating all British nationals registered us.

"The crossing will be open for controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals and the seriously wounded to leave.

An unspecified number of Britons have left the region after a list of people who wanted to escape Gaza was agreed with Egyptian and Israeli authorities

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"We have agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities. We will be informed in advance when those on the list can use the crossing to ensure we can provide assistance."

Around 200 British nationals are believed to be in Gaza.

The route was being opened for "controlled and time-limited periods" to allow some foreign nationals and injured Palestinians to leave.

Palestinian officials said more than 400 foreign nationals and injured Gazans had been given permission to cross into Egypt.

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Around 200 British citizens live inside the coastal enclave, with some 600 Americans also calling Gaza their home.

Hamas previously blocked Britons from leaving Gaza after Israel began preparing to mount its ground offensive.

Britain ramped up efforts as civil disorder and looting broke out at UN aid warehouses.

It comes as Israel Defence Forces plan to push ahead with its full invasion of the Strip.

A satellite image shows the Gaza side of Rafah crossing A satellite image shows the Gaza side of Rafah crossingREUTERS

Troops have gathered on the border as the World Health Organisation said the prospect was “deeply concerning”.

More than 8,000 Palestinians have died since Israel responded to Hamas' October 7 terror attack by bombarding Gaza, the Hamas-run Health Ministry has revealed.

Jason Lee, country director at Save the Children Palestine, said: "The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk."

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