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Sweden’s embassy in Cairo is ready to help Swedes if the border with Gaza were to be opened, the Foreign Ministry’s press service informs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DF) has previously been in contact with approximately 360 Swedes in Gaza who want to leave the area. During Friday evening, however, the internet and the mobile and telephone network in Gaza were knocked out as a result of massive Israeli bombing.
“Should we receive important information about the possibility of leaving through Rafah, we will again try to reach out to all these Swedes,” writes the Foreign Ministry’s press service in an email to TT.
Rafah is a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and the only way out of the area. So far, only single trucks with aid shipments have been allowed through, and the Foreign Ministry emphasizes that it “does not own” the border crossing.
“The embassy is preparing to be able to act consularly for the Swedes who would then come from Gaza in accordance with instructions given by the Egyptian authorities,” writes the Foreign Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry stated earlier this week that very little can be done for the Swedes stuck in Gaza. The travel advisory to the area has been in effect for ten years.
Norway has prepared a team in Egypt that is ready to receive Norwegians from Gaza, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told VG. He emphasizes that the situation for them in Gaza is “frustrating”.