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British lawmakers said they have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee Gaza and to reduce the “almost inevitable” impact on civilians of the conflict with Israel.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday said an imminent Israeli military operation must focus on Hamas as he raised concerns about a “regional escalation.”
Defence Minister James Heappey warned that combat in Gaza, as Israel is expected to launch an offensive by sea, air and land, is likely to be “horrendous.”
Heappey said British officials are working with the Egyptian authorities in an effort to facilitate British and dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to leave Gaza through the border.
However, expectations in the government for opening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt were understood to be very low, he added.
Heappey warned it is important to “sound a note of caution that the reports might be more optimistic than reality.”
Sunak however acknowledged that it was an “anxious time for many families who will have loved ones who are impacted or missing,” with around 10 British hostages being held by Hamas.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a Jewish secondary school in north London, the British prime minister said: “We’re providing all the consular support through the Foreign Office that we can and also providing direct support to the Israelis.”
Sunak raised the border crossing in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last week, and it is understood that opening the border for foreign nationals and for Palestinian refugees could be treated separately.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We do think it is important, both in the interests of British nationals and others, but also important for the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
The United Nations and global aid agencies have expressed alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the north ahead of an imminent attack.
Western diplomats are also concerned that the conflict between Hamas and Israel could spark a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Downing Street has said that Sunak will continue to hold talks with international partners in the days to come, as the fighting shows little sign of coming to a swift conclusion
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