The Palestinian border authority has compiled a list of approved foreign nationals, including 92 British citizens. The Rafah border crossing into Egypt, the only border not controlled by Israel, has temporarily opened to facilitate their departure.
Border crossings in and out of Gaza have been closed since October 7th due to hostilities initiated by Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK. The UK government is cautiously managing the situation, with a list of approved individuals that includes British citizens and their dependents.
To support UK nationals leaving Gaza, the UK has deployed a Border Force team in Cairo and consular officials near the Rafah crossing. Some British nationals, including aid workers and a surgeon, have already exited Gaza via Rafah.
The UK government is prioritizing the departure of vulnerable individuals and has provided Israeli and Egyptian authorities with a list of British citizens and their dependents, giving special consideration to those with medical vulnerabilities. The situation in Gaza remains complex, and the UK government continues its efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens during this challenging period.