Government trying to evacuate 67 Australians in Gaza

Canberra: The Australian government has confirmed it is working to evacuate 67 Australians stranded in the Gaza Strip. Deputy Foreign Minister Tim Watts told Sky News Australia on Sunday that consular officials were pushing for the safe return of 67 Australians in the Gaza Strip who have lodged an application with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to receive government assistance. Had registered. I did it.

DFAT said the first group of people evacuated from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday and Thursday included 25 Australian citizens, permanent residents and members of their families.

Watts confirmed that Australians will no longer cross the border from Thursday, but Australian diplomats and DFAT officials are pushing for further border crossings, Xinhua news agency reported. Hard work is being done.

“We are applying very strong pressure because we know how serious the situation in Gaza is,” he said.

Australians who managed to escape the Gaza Strip were met by DFAT officials in Egypt, who arranged accommodation for them and are now working on free commercial flights for them back to Australia.

The Australian government has called for a halt to Israeli air strikes to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza.

On Sunday there will be pro-Palestinian rallies in the capitals Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to call for a ceasefire.

–IANS