Hamas ‘preventing’ UK nationals from leaving Gaza, White House security chief suggests

Hamas could be preventing British nationals from leaving Gaza, US President Joe Biden’s security adviser has suggested.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said Egypt and Israel were prepared to allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

But he said Hamas, which rules the bombarded territory, had not agreed to terms that would grant foreigners an opportunity to depart for Egypt and reach safety.

The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is the only border point in the territory that is not controlled by Tel Aviv.

The throughway into north-east Egypt is likely to be the main exit route for those trapped in Gaza but it is currently closed other than for aid deliveries.

The Prime Minister last week said UK Border Force teams are in Egypt to ensure British nationals can escape from Gaza when the crossing is opened to foreign nationals.

The Foreign Office is in contact with around 200 UK nationals in Gaza, Rishi Sunak has previously said.

Those stuck in Gaza have dealt with communication blackouts, the threat of Israeli air strikes and a lack of food and water after Tel Aviv blockaded essentials in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7, raids that killed 1,400 people.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his in-laws, who are trapped in Gaza having travelled to visit family there ahead of Hamas’s assault, have run out of drinking water.

Mr Sullivan, according to a transcript of his interview with CBS news channel in the US, said: “The challenge right now is that the Egyptians are prepared to let Americans and other foreign nationals out of Gaza.

“The Israelis have no issue with that. But Hamas is preventing their departure and making a series of demands.”

Mr Sunak used conversations with European leaders on Sunday to stress the importance of helping foreign nationals escape Gaza as the fighting between Hamas and Israel intensified.

The prime minister and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte discussed “efforts to support British and Dutch nationals in Gaza”, while he also spoke about efforts to “get foreign nationals out” with French President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street said.

Mr Sunak and Mr Rutte also “shared their serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza”, according to a readout of the phone call from No 10.

The UK Government is calling for a pause in the fighting to allow for aid to reach suffering Gazans but has stopped short of pushing for a ceasefire despite the United Nations consistently urging for hostilities to cease.

Nearly three dozen lorries entered Gaza on Sunday in the largest aid convoy since the war between Israel and Hamas started more than three weeks ago.

But humanitarian workers said the assistance still fell desperately short of what was needed after thousands of people broke into warehouses to take flour and basic hygiene products.

The fighting between Tel Aviv and Hamas intensified over the weekend.

The Israeli military said on Sunday it had struck more than 450 militant targets over the past 24 hours, including Hamas command centres and anti-tank missile launching positions.

It said ground forces killed a number of Hamas militants as they exited one of their extensive network of Gaza tunnels near the Erez crossing, which was the sole pedestrian passageway into Israel before it was destroyed in the fighting.

The Hamas military wing said its militants clashed with Israeli troops who entered the northwest Gaza Strip with small arms and anti-tank missiles.

Palestinian militants have continued firing rockets into Israel.

The death toll among Palestinians has passed 8,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

In the UK, thousands of protesters voiced their support for a ceasefire by joining pro-Palestinian demonstrations in cities such as London, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow.

According to several reports, an emergency Cobra meeting will be held on Monday with ministers, police chief and security officials said to be gathering to assess the threat posed by domestic terrorism.

They also plan to consider intelligence that Iranian agents may be creating unrest in Britain by stoking pro-Palestinian protests, the reports said.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on the weekend urged pro-Palestine supporters to be “conscious of disinformation and manipulation” following reports Iran is attempting to use the rallies to sow division.

Labour said shadow foreign secretary David Lammy would embark on a three-day tour of the Middle East, arriving in Jordan on Monday.

He will meet with ministers in Jordan, Qatar and Egypt to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, the humanitarian emergency in Gaza, the release of hostages, regional de-escalation and a long term political process for peace, the party briefed.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...