Over 100 UK nationals have been able to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing, but many others remain stranded due to a dispute between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinian border authority has been issuing lists of approved individuals, but some British citizens reported being turned away. Support Families in Gaza criticized the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's policy, stating that British Palestinians are being treated differently from those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The UK government is working to reopen the Rafah crossing and facilitate the evacuation of civilians. The FCDO stated that people who require a visa to travel to the UK, including dependents of British nationals, must obtain one in advance. The situation in Gaza is described as complex and challenging, and diplomatic efforts are being made to resolve the issue. The word 'Nakba,' meaning catastrophe, is used to refer to the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
Meanwhile, Palestinians fleeing Israel's bombardment of Gaza have made the perilous journey to Egypt, seeking refuge from the genocide. The Rafah crossing, the only exit out of Gaza not bordered by Israel, has been sealed since Israel's ground invasion into Rafah. Palestinians who have managed to cross into Egypt are now living in poverty with no legal documentation, reliant on charity to survive. Many are grappling with survivor's guilt and facing a dire humanitarian catastrophe, unable to work, open bank accounts, or access health insurance. Some Palestinians regret leaving Gaza and feel it would have been better to die there. The children suffer from trauma and nightmares. The Egyptian government has turned a blind eye to tens of thousands of Palestinians overstaying their permits during the war, leaving them undocumented and without rights. [e432ad27]
Witnesses reported that a family in Gaza City's Al-Tuffah district was instructed to evacuate along with their belongings. The incident occurred on July 9, 2024. [ab49a8de]