Crisis: UK continues to facilitate British nationals leaving Israel, Gaza

The United Kingdom has continued to facilitate British nationals leaving Israel and Gaza over the ongoing war between Israeli and the Palestinian Militants group Hamas with another successfully departing Israel on Saturday afternoon.

According to the statement released from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office on Sunday stated that Government flights are planned with specialist teams deployed to support vulnerable British nationals.

It added that British nationals in Gaza were told to be ready if Rafah crossing opens as three British Government facilitated flights have now departed Israel for the UK and Cyprus, with more expected in the coming hours. 

Furthermore, two UK Government Rapid Deployment Teams (RDT) and British Red Cross responders have also been deployed to support vulnerable British nationals wanting to leave on the flights.

The UK is also working with Israeli air controllers and air industry to try to maintain commercial air links and keep a range of transport options under review as commercial flights remain limited with small number of routes between Israel and Europe, are open. 

Earlier this week, UK Govt advised British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Gaza, to register their presence with the Foreign Office to receive latest updates on departure options and updates on the security situation.   

The UK Govt through the FCDO has continued to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to advise against all but essential travel to all other parts.  

In his reaction, the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly said, “The United Kingdom is committed to supporting British nationals in Israel and Gaza following this brutal terror attack by Hamas”.

Adding that, “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 get in touch.”   

Meanwhile, in addition to arranging flights from Israel, officials are working with the Egyptian authorities to facilitate British, dual nationals, and their spouses and children, leaving Gaza via Rafah.

The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this week about the situation at the Rafah border crossing, while the Foreign Secretary is in contact with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry. 

The Israeli military announced on the morning of 13 October that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.

The UK Government told British nationals in Gaza to follow this advice and have been messaged by the FCDO to ensure they are on alert to be ready if the crossing opens.  

While the UK continues to call for unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian populations, it said vital humanitarian supplies, including food, water and medical supplies necessary for survival must be able to reach innocent civilians.  

Israel has declared war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas after it carried out an unprecedented attack by air, sea and land on Saturday.

The large-scale surprise assault has left at least 900 dead in Israel, prompting a lethal volley of retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that killed at least 687 people.

As they retreated into Gaza, the militants claimed to have taken at least 100 hostages with them and have threatened to kill them if airstrikes target Gaza without warning. Israel has pledged that Hamas will pay a heavy price.

The Israeli army ordered 1.1 million Palestinians to get out of Gaza and move south within the next 24 hours. Deadline expected to expire in a few as Israel appears set for a massive ground invasion of Gaza with over 300,000 soldiers.