British Government helps 16 people safely leave Gaza
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem assisted three families to safely leave the Gaza Strip.
![assisted departure](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a61e08ded915d0afc467836/s300_DSCN1739_website.jpg)
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.