Dr. Ahmed Sabra, a doctor from Swansea, has been forced back into Gaza after being denied permission to escape to Egypt. This has led to him being separated from his wife and three children who were able to escape. Dr. Sabra claims that he has been sent to a “death sentence” and has accused the UK government of failing to provide sufficient help. The Foreign Office, however, has stated that it is in regular contact with British nationals and is working to ensure their safe return.
Dr. Sabra and his family were visiting relatives in Gaza when the war with Israel broke out. They had been waiting for a month to leave Gaza but were unable to do so due to their names not being on the approved list of foreign nationals allowed to leave. Despite this, Dr. Sabra was able to remain with his family as they made their journey towards Egypt. However, when they reached the Rafah border, they were informed that Dr. Sabra did not have permission to enter Egypt.
Currently, Dr. Sabra is on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border while his family is in Cairo. He has appealed to the UK government to help him escape, stating that they have not done enough to assist him. He has called on the Foreign Office to fulfill their duty to a British national and evacuate him from Gaza. Dr. Sabra expressed his concerns about being in one of the most dangerous places in the world and criticized the British Embassy for not following the proper process.
Describing the war as a “very distressing experience,” Dr. Sabra highlighted the daily presence of death and the constant fear they faced. Geraint Davies, an independent MP for Swansea West, criticized the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for failing to allow Dr. Sabra to leave Gaza. He stated that the FCDO was directly responsible for Dr. Sabra’s dangerous situation and called it a “grotesque failure.”
The Foreign Office responded by stating that they are working tirelessly to ensure the safe departure of all British nationals from Gaza. They are coordinating with Israeli and Egyptian authorities, submitting all necessary details and reviewing each case for permissions to cross the border. The UK teams are stationed at the border to receive those leaving Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused significant devastation, with thousands of lives lost and many more displaced. The stories emerging from Israel and Gaza have been horrifying, prompting Welsh party leaders to call for peace in the Middle East. The situation highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict and for greater international efforts to protect innocent civilians.
