British nationals in Gaza told to head to Rafah border crossing in case Egypt border opens
British nationals in Gaza have been told to move towards the last remaining crossing out of the enclave in case it opens.
The currently-closed Rafah Border crossing into Egypt, which lies in Gaza’s south, is currently the only viable route out of the Gaza Strip – with Hamas, Egypt and Israel all exercising degrees of control over who can pass through.
It comes as the Israeli military continues to launch airstrikes across the region in retaliation to a surprise Hamas attack last Saturday.
At least 17 British nationals are missing or confirmed dead, with the UK government estimating up to 60,000 Britons are currently in Israel or Gaza.
Three UK government-chartered flights have left Israel so far and more are expected in the coming days.
In a statement late on Saturday, the Foreign Office said officials were working with Egyptian authorities to try to arrange for British and dual nationals – as well as their spouses and children – to leave Gaza via Rafah.
Britons are being urged to move south and have been sent messages telling them to be on alert in case the crossing is opened – mirroring advice from the US.
Israel has closed its two border crossings and imposed a “complete siege” on the enclave, blocking supplies of fuel, electricity and water.
This has left the Rafah crossing as the only outlet to get people out and supplies in.
The Israeli government has ordered the 1.1 million civilians in the enclave’s north to move south.
But the United Nations (UN) has warned the forced evacuation will have devastating humanitarian consequences – with hospital patients and others unable to leave.
Medical officials say an estimated 35,000 people have crammed into the grounds of Gaza City’s main hospital in search of refuge.
The combined death toll on both sides of the conflict has climbed to more than 3,600.
Israel’s military said Hamas’ attack and ongoing rocket fire from Gaza had killed more than 1,300 people and left at least 3,200 wounded.
In Gaza, the Health Ministry said on Sunday that the Israeli airstrikes had killed 2,329 people, including 724 children, and left 9,714 others wounded.
Egypt is facing mounting pressure to act as a full-scale Israeli ground offensive into Gaza moves closer.
The country’s foreign ministry has denied reports of the crossing being closed, claiming it has sustained damage due to repeated Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian side.
Speaking at a military graduation ceremony on Thursday, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said his country had sympathy and was “making sure that aid, whether medical or humanitarian, makes it to the strip.”
But he also warned Egypt’s ability to help has limits, adding the North African country already hosts nine million refugees.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he is in contact with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.
“The UK is committed to supporting British nationals in Israel and Gaza following this brutal terror attack by Hamas,” Mr Cleverly said.
“The safety of all British nationals is our priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our advice and register their presence so we can we get in touch.”
