FIRST BRITONS FLEE GAZA HELL

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly vows he 'will not rest' until every UK national is brought back home

- Giles Sheldrick

THE first British citizens have escaped from war-torn Gaza but many more were still trapped on its border with Egypt last night.

An unconfirmed number fled via the newly opened Rafah crossing but up to 200 more, including charity workers and academics, remained stuck in the besieged Palestinian territory, praying for a way out.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called the exit of British nationals a "hugely important first step" but vowed he "will not rest" until every UK national is free and back home.

He said: "Everything is difficult and uncertain and we need to be realistic. We've spoken extensively with Egypt and Israel and through intermediaries we have sent messages to Hamas.

"It's not easy and there are no but certainties, we will not rest until we have done what we can to help the British nationals in Gaza."

Rafah was opened for people to cross the border yesterday for the first time since the Hamas-Israel war erupted on October 7.

 

Unconfirmed reports suggested at least two British nationals, listed as aid workers, crossed.

The Foreign Office said: "We will continue working with partners to ensure the crossing is opened again, allowing vital aid into Gaza and more British nationals to leave safely. The crossing will be open for controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals and the seriously wounded to leave.

"We have agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities. We will be informed in advance when those on the list can use the crossing."