Rafah crossing: First Britons leave Gaza but others face nervous wait

British nationals have left Gaza for the first time since the recent conflict with Israel began. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that some Britons were among a group of around 400 foreign nationals and injured Palestinians who crossed the border via the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

However, only those whose names appeared on a limited list agreed upon by the Egyptian and Israeli governments were permitted to leave.

The opening of the border is for "controlled and time-limited periods" to allow foreign nationals and injured Palestinians to exit Gaza. Around 200 British nationals are believed to be in Gaza.

Routes in and out of Gaza had been closed since Hamas initiated attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 casualties and the taking of hostages. Among those killed were 14 British nationals, while three remain missing.

Both UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverley and opposition leader Keir Starmer have called for humanitarian "pauses" in the fighting to allow aid to move and assist those affected by the conflict.