British Government helps 16 people safely leave Gaza
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem assisted three families to safely leave the Gaza Strip.
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem assisted three families to safely leave the Gaza Strip two days ago. Arriving at Erez crossing early on Thursday morning, a team from the British Consulate General assisted eleven British Nationals, their dependents and five New Zealanders to leave Gaza.
Our FCO staff helped to ensure a safe, effective departure via the Erez crossing and were impressed by the strength and resilience these families and many others had shown during the last month of conflict. They gave a compelling account of the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The UK has provided more than £17m in emergency assistance to help tens of thousands of Palestinians affected. The UK will continue to work with international partners to secure a long term end to the violence and provide a platform for resolving the underlying causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ben Saoul, Acting Consul-General, who met the Gazan families on arrival at Erez, said:
I am relieved that we have been able to help this contingent of British nationals to leave Gaza. The scale of their loss and suffering is matched only by their remarkable resilience. I am grateful to all those involved in facilitating their departure. Now we need a lasting ceasefire which allows for real change in Gaza, so that ordinary people can begin the process of re-building their lives.
This was the third assisted departure since the start of the latest round of conflict. The British Government has now helped a total of 51 people to leave the area including nationals from New Zealand and St Kitts and Nevis.
Note:
- Our travel advice advises against all travel to Gaza. If you are a British national currently in Gaza and you require advice you should contact the British Consulate-General in Jerusalem.