First British nationals cross into Egypt from Gaza

Scores of foreign passport holders trapped in Gaza started leaving the war-torn Palestinian territory on Nov. 1 when the Rafah crossing to Egypt was opened up for the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. (AFP)

• The Foreign Office said it had agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities
• Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on X social media platform called Wednesday’s crossing “a hugely important first step“

LONDON: A first group of British nationals have entered Egypt from Gaza via the Rafah crossing, Britain’s Foreign Office said on Wednesday.
The Foreign Office said it had agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities and would be informed in advance when those on the list can use the crossing.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on X social media platform called Wednesday’s crossing “a hugely important first step.”
“We are working with Egyptian and Israeli authorities to ensure the crossing stays open so all British nationals can get to safety in the coming days,” he wrote.
Britain said it had officials on the ground assisting people and would be providing transport to a reception center in Cairo where they would be offered food and water as well as access to communications to speak with their families.
Those teams will also help arrange onward travel via commercial flights, including supporting people with emergency travel documents, it added.