The first people in a group of about 100 Britons due to leave Gaza on Friday have made the crossing into Egypt, amid concerns about whether individuals in the north of the Palestinian territory will be able to make it to the southern Rafah crossing.
By Friday, there were 127 people on the UK list to be evacuated into Egypt since the crossing opened on Wednesday, more than three weeks after the conflict began in which thousands of Palestinians and Israelis have been killed. Among those able to leave Gaza were the parents-in-law of Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, who described the last four weeks as a “living nightmare” for the family of his wife, Nadia El-Nakla.
“We are very pleased to confirm that Nadia’s parents were able to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing this morning,” Yousaf said. “Although we feel a sense of deep personal relief, we are heartbroken at the continued suffering of the people of Gaza. We will continue to raise our voices to stop the killing and suffering of the innocent people of Gaza.”
The UK Foreign Office said the Rafah crossing was being opened for “controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals and the seriously wounded to leave”. On Thursday, British nationals among the first to cross into Egypt described the Rafah crossing as “absolute chaos”, and said they had been “abandoned” by the government.
It is understood hundreds of British nationals remain trapped in Gaza, among an estimated 7,000 foreign nationals who have been registered by embassies with the Egyptian authorities. The Guardian understands there have been few cases where individuals not on the lists have been able to cross into Egypt with documentation.
Faras Abuwarda said it was 2am on Friday when he saw the names of his wife, five children and cousins were among the 127 UK evacuees listed alongside those from Italy, Germany, Indonesia, the US and Mexico. But Abuwarda’s family in Jabalia, northern Gaza, remain uncertain of how they will travel south in order to cross.
“I was so happy for them but unfortunately I had the feeling they are unable to cross, because I knew from yesterday we are unable to get a taxi or any private car to take them to the south,” said Abuwarda from Cairo where he travelled from London to try to assist his family for the second time since the conflict began.
For more than three weeks, the family have been trapped in Jabalia, which has come under heavy bombardment in recent days, including nearby Israeli strikes that have killed more than 195 people.
Abuwarda said that, with only official cars able to travel south, he had appealed to the Foreign Office and aid organisations for transport assistance. He said he was told by the Foreign Office that no transport or protection could be offered and that it would not be requested by the Israeli government for his family to use their cousin’s car to travel south.
As of Friday evening, they were still waiting. “The Israeli government has announced that the only cars allowed to travel between north and south are those belonging to the International Red Cross, United Nations or Doctors Without Borders,” said Abuwarda, 47.
“The Foreign Office’s last message this morning said we are unable to help you, we don’t provide any assistance such as transportation from north to south, we will help you in Egypt.
“It’s absolutely useless. I don’t want your help in Egypt, I’m already in Egypt I can help my family when they arrive. I feel disgusted by the government for being unhelpful.”
Abuwarda first travelled to Egypt in October with hopes of meeting his family at the border, concerned about how his wife would travel south with their five children, two of whom are autistic. He made it as far as Arisha before Egyptian authorities stopped him from going any further.
“I will try to go there once my family reach the border,” he said on Friday. “My family and I are feeling isolated, left lonely with no help. Unfortunately, we’ve always been proud to be British but now we are not proud any more.”
Source: The Guardian