Dowden: UK ‘Hopeful’ Rafah Crossing Will Reopen Following Temporary Closure on Saturday

'This continues to be a complex and challenging situation and we are using all diplomatic channels to press for its reopening': FCDO spokesman.Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the UK is "hopeful" that more British nationals can leave Gaza on Sunday.It comes after the only exit at Rafah, which borders Egypt, was temporarily closed on Saturday.Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said his in-laws, who left Gaza on Friday, are now back in Scotland.Almost 90 people with a British passport or UK travel documents had formally requested to pass through the Rafah crossing on Saturday into Egypt, according to a list produced by the authorities running the border post.But UK nationals found themselves turned away, with the crossing shut to foreign nationals over a reported row over evacuating injured patients.In a statement on Saturday, a spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are disappointed that the Rafah crossing has been temporarily closed today.Related Stories“This continues to be a complex and challenging situation and we are using all diplomatic channels to press for its reopening in co-ordination with our international partners," the spokesman said.“We remain in contact with British nationals in the region to provide them with the latest information.“It is vital that the safe passage of people, including all foreign nationals, and humanitarian aid can continue,” the spokesman said.Speaking to the BBC’s "Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg" programme, the deputy prime minister said over 100 UK nationals have been able to cross out of Gaza into Egypt since the Rafah crossing first opened on Wednesday.“It is very disappointing that the crossing was closed yesterday," Mr. Dowden said. “We are engaging very closely and we are hopeful that the crossing will reopen again today, enabling further UK nationals to leave the situation.”Mr. Yousaf's parents-in-law, Dundee resident Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, were among those who left the besieged 25-mile strip on Friday.Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter on Sunday, the first minister said, "I am pleased to say my in-laws are safe and back home."The couple had been visiting family in Gaza when the Hamas terrorist group, which controls the strip, attacked Israel and killed more than 1,400 people on Oct. 7 and took more than 200 hostages.Israel has since ordered a siege on Gaza and launched attacks with a stated aim of wiping out Hamas.The Hamas-backed Gaza Health Ministry has said more than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began. The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify the figure.Mr. Yousaf said his family is pleased that Mr. and Mrs El-Nakla are back home."However, our thoughts remain with those who can't leave and are trapped in a war zone," he said.The first minister said the family will "continue to raise our voices for peace and to stop the killing of innocent men, women & children in Gaza."Mr. Yousaf is among politicians in the UK who are advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.He wrote to political leaders in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, urging them to unite behind the call to "stop the staggering humanitarian disaster" in Gaza.However, the UK government, with the support of opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, backs humanitarian “pauses” to allow the flow of aid and evacuees, but is not calling for an immediate ceasefire.Foreign Secretary James Cleverly previously said he had seen no signs Hamas would abide by a ceasefire. Sir Keir also said a ceasefire now will only benefit Hamas and lead to more violence, but the Labour leader has been faced with a rebellion, including from his frontbenchers, over the stance.PA Media contributed to this report.

Dowden: UK ‘Hopeful’ Rafah Crossing Will Reopen Following Temporary Closure on Saturday

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'This continues to be a complex and challenging situation and we are using all diplomatic channels to press for its reopening': FCDO spokesman.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the UK is "hopeful" that more British nationals can leave Gaza on Sunday.

It comes after the only exit at Rafah, which borders Egypt, was temporarily closed on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said his in-laws, who left Gaza on Friday, are now back in Scotland.

Almost 90 people with a British passport or UK travel documents had formally requested to pass through the Rafah crossing on Saturday into Egypt, according to a list produced by the authorities running the border post.

But UK nationals found themselves turned away, with the crossing shut to foreign nationals over a reported row over evacuating injured patients.

In a statement on Saturday, a spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are disappointed that the Rafah crossing has been temporarily closed today.

“This continues to be a complex and challenging situation and we are using all diplomatic channels to press for its reopening in co-ordination with our international partners," the spokesman said.

“We remain in contact with British nationals in the region to provide them with the latest information.

“It is vital that the safe passage of people, including all foreign nationals, and humanitarian aid can continue,” the spokesman said.

Speaking to the BBC’s "Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg" programme, the deputy prime minister said over 100 UK nationals have been able to cross out of Gaza into Egypt since the Rafah crossing first opened on Wednesday.

“It is very disappointing that the crossing was closed yesterday," Mr. Dowden said. “We are engaging very closely and we are hopeful that the crossing will reopen again today, enabling further UK nationals to leave the situation.”

Mr. Yousaf's parents-in-law, Dundee resident Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, were among those who left the besieged 25-mile strip on Friday.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter on Sunday, the first minister said, "I am pleased to say my in-laws are safe and back home."

The couple had been visiting family in Gaza when the Hamas terrorist group, which controls the strip, attacked Israel and killed more than 1,400 people on Oct. 7 and took more than 200 hostages.

Israel has since ordered a siege on Gaza and launched attacks with a stated aim of wiping out Hamas.

The Hamas-backed Gaza Health Ministry has said more than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began. The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify the figure.

Mr. Yousaf said his family is pleased that Mr. and Mrs El-Nakla are back home.

"However, our thoughts remain with those who can't leave and are trapped in a war zone," he said.

The first minister said the family will "continue to raise our voices for peace and to stop the killing of innocent men, women & children in Gaza."

Mr. Yousaf is among politicians in the UK who are advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

He wrote to political leaders in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, urging them to unite behind the call to "stop the staggering humanitarian disaster" in Gaza.

However, the UK government, with the support of opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, backs humanitarian “pauses” to allow the flow of aid and evacuees, but is not calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly previously said he had seen no signs Hamas would abide by a ceasefire. Sir Keir also said a ceasefire now will only benefit Hamas and lead to more violence, but the Labour leader has been faced with a rebellion, including from his frontbenchers, over the stance.

PA Media contributed to this report.