New Zealand says 11 of its citizens have left Gaza for Egypt

Passengers fleeing from the Gaza Strip arrive in the Egyptian part of the Rafah border crossing with the Palestinian enclave on November 12, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (AFP)

• The Middle Eastern territory has been bombarded by Israeli forces since early last month in retaliation for an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s government on Monday said 11 New Zealanders left Gaza overnight on Sunday and entered Egypt via the Rafah border crossing.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokeswoman in an email said the people were met by a New Zealand consular team and provided with support.
The Middle Eastern territory has been bombarded by Israeli forces since early last month in retaliation for an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Gaza’s border authority announced that the Rafah land crossing into Egypt would reopen on Sunday for foreign passport holders after being closed on Friday.
The MFAT spokeswoman said New Zealand is working around the clock to get its remaining citizens and permanent residents out of Gaza.
New Zealand last week said it was working with 21 New Zealanders, family members and permanent residents to help them leave Gaza.