UK says it helped 505 people escape Gaza since October war began

A UK government spokesperson has confirmed to Middle East Eye that Britain has helped more than 500 individuals escape Israel’s war on Gaza, including British citizens and eligible Palestinians.

“As of January, the UK government has helped 505 people leave Gaza since October 2023, including British nationals and their immediate family members and Palestinian nationals who qualified under our extended eligibility criteria,” the statement said.

"Of the 505 people, 306 are British nationals and their Palestinian dependents; 38 are Palestinian nationals who qualified under the extended eligibility criteria published on 14 December 2023," it added.

Despite Israel’s decision to shut down the border crossings in May last year, the UK said it managed to secure the departure of 21 more individuals - most of them children - since the start of October 2024.

Gaza remains under complete siege, with residents trapped under Israeli bombardment and aid blocked at crossing points.

The UK has done little to press its ally Israel to relieve the scale of human suffering caused by the months-long assault, and has supplied Israel with weapons, intelligence and diplomatic cover for its war on Gaza.