Family of British woman stranded in Gaza 'losing hope' she will be evacuated

The family of a British woman stranded in Gaza said she is "losing hope" the UK will evacuate her from the Palestinian enclave, as Israel steps up its air and ground campaign in Gaza. 

Asma al-Badawi, sister of Zaynab Wandawi, said the school teacher from the north of England travelled to the besieged territory to attend a family wedding just days before the conflict erupted following the deadly attack by Hamas fighters into southern Israel on 7 October.

"We've had limited communication with Zaynab, but when we do, it is short messages saying she's okay, but we can tell she is losing hope," Badawi told Middle East Eye. 

Badawi said her family was initially hopeful that officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) would evacuate Zaynab and her family when news reports emerged that the UK had begun evacuating British nationals in Israel.

But those hopes have faded with each day that passes, after officials directed Zaynab to call an FCDO hotline dedicated to helping British nationals in Gaza. 

"When we started posting on social media that Zaynab and her family was stranded in Gaza, people kept commenting that they're not white and that the government are not gonna do anything for them. As the days go by, it feels like that is the reality," said Badawi.

"But the most the hotline said was they can call for a Red Crescent ambulance if there is a dire need," said Badawi. 

The Foreign Office did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing. 

Read more: British woman who went to Gaza for wedding 'losing hope'