The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has been informed that 51 Norwegian citizens have now received permission to travel out of Gaza, via the border crossing at Rafah on Wednesday.
– We are now in the process of informing them. They will be able to travel out from when the border opens on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes in a press release on Tuesday evening.
A Norwegian emergency team is on its way from Cairo to the border to receive those who arrive.
– The team has medical staff, embassy staff and ID and document experts who can help those who lack necessary documents, such as expired passports. Norwegian citizens who cross the border will then be taken to Cairo, where we have set up a reception centre, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
Norwegian Ghadah (48) dead in Gaza: – Had a lot of love
– Very happy
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is “very happy” that Norwegians are now getting out.
– I am very happy that we have received notification that Norwegian citizens have received notification that they can leave Gaza. We are now contacting those on the list, and hope they manage to get safely to the border crossing at Rafah, says the foreign minister in a statement shortly after it was announced that Norwegians are allowed to leave Gaza.
He says to NRK that there are 27 Norwegian children on the evacuation list.
Barth Eide says that Gaza is a war zone, and that the situation has worsened dramatically in recent weeks.
– People lack food, medicine, water and fuel. I have been, and still am, very worried for everyone who has lived through this nightmare, he says.
Report of a dead Norwegian in Gaza
Not everyone gets out
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Sunday that 270 Norwegians are in Gaza. This means that not all Norwegian citizens who are in Gaza have received permission to leave.
– These and their relatives are in a very demanding situation now. Our diplomats continue to work to ensure that Norwegian citizens are allowed to leave Gaza as soon as possible. Those who have not received permission to travel abroad will also be informed, writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the press release.
Barth Eide says that the Norwegian authorities continue to work to ensure that more Norwegian citizens are allowed to leave Gaza as quickly as possible.
– Getting Norwegian citizens out has been and still is our highest priority, he assures.
He emphasizes that traveling into Gaza is very dangerous, and everyone must assess from their own situation whether they want to go to Rafah now.
2023-11-14 20:03:45
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