A British surgeon who was trapped in Gaza for practically a month after the battle between Israel and Hamas broke out has mentioned he’s out “ultimately”.
NHS advisor surgeon Abdel Hammad, who lives in Liverpool, is amongst a bunch of British nationals who have been in a position to enter Egypt by way of the Rafah border crossing on Thursday.
The 67-year-old medic advised Sky Information he was on a bus heading to the Egyptian capital Cairo with a British household of eight and an Australian particular person.
Observe dwell: Israeli forces push into Gaza City
Mr Hammad, who had been ready for an evacuation because the day after the newest battle broke out on 7 October when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities, mentioned he entered a “no man’s land” on the border on Thursday morning earlier than crossing into Egypt.
“Ultimately we’re out. I’m on the bus… we’re going to keep the evening in Cairo and hopefully we will catch a flight tomorrow.
“The bus was organised by the British embassy in Cairo.”
The surgeon volunteers for the charity Liverpool Worldwide Transplant Initiative in his spare time and has been travelling to Gaza since 2013.
The Rafah border crossing, the one gateway out of Gaza not managed by Israel, is operated by Egypt and is barely opened intermittently earlier than closing once more.
The Overseas Workplace had confirmed earlier {that a} group of British nationals had been in a position to enter Egypt from Gaza by way of the crossing.
The overall variety of UK nationals who’ve been in a position to depart the Palestinian territory by way of the crossing because the battle started has not been confirmed by the federal government division.
It is usually not clear what number of British folks stay in Gaza however the quantity is regarded as within the low a whole bunch.
In the meantime, two UK assist employees managed to go away Gaza by means of the crossing on Wednesday.
They have been amongst some 335 overseas nationals who in a position to cross after a Qatar and US-brokered deal was struck between Israel, Egypt and Hamas.
Following the newest opening which allowed British nationals to go away, the Overseas Workplace mentioned it’s going to “work intently” with Egyptian and Israeli authorities to “make sure the crossing stays open so all British nationals can get to security within the coming days”.
A Palestinian lady, who holds an Egyptian passport, sits together with her little one as they wait to go away Gaza by means of the crossing
The Overseas Workplace has offered the Israeli and Egyptian authorities with an inventory of British nationals and their dependants, prioritised by medical vulnerability.
Border Drive officers deployed in Egypt to assist UK nationals have been bolstered by the arrival of a speedy deployment staff from the Overseas Workplace and psychosocial assist consultants from the British Crimson Cross.
On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used a name with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to thank him for his efforts in serving to the primary British nationals to go away by means of the Rafah border.
Learn extra:
What is the Rafah crossing and who controls it?
Gaza doctor has dozens more patients who need to cross into Egypt
Bewildered soldiers sob at funeral of 20-year-old Israeli
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
It comes as 76 wounded folks from Gaza have been allowed to go away by way of the crossing on Wednesday. They’ve since arrived at a hospital in Egypt.
The diplomatic efforts are going down as Israeli forces proceed to advance by means of the Palestinian territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the nation’s troops had pushed by means of the outskirts of Gaza Metropolis.
Palestinians with twin citizenship collect exterior the Rafah border crossing with Egypt earlier within the battle
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Why is the Rafah crossing so vital?
Gaza’s well being ministry has mentioned the variety of folks killed by Israel within the territory because the battle started has risen to 9,061, up from 8,796 on Wednesday.
Among the many {dead} have been 3,760 youngsters and a couple of,326 ladies, the ministry added.
Official Israeli sources mentioned on Wednesday that 1,400 folks have been killed in Israel because the battle broke out.
Greater than 200 hostages taken from Israel are being held by Hamas in Gaza because the battle approaches its fourth week.