27 British nationals evacuated from Gaza

Twenty-seven British nationals and their Palestinian dependants were evacuated from Gaza last night amid violence in the region, Foreign Secretary William Hague said today.

MPs heard the people left Gaza through Israel to Jordan before travelling onward.

Mr Hague insisted the UK’s three objectives are to secure a ceasefire to end the violence affecting Palestinians and Israelis, to alleviate humanitarian suffering, and to “keep alive” the prospects for peace negotiations, which he told MPs is the “only hope of breaking this cycle of violence and devastation once and for all”.

In a statement to the Commons on Gaza, Mr Hague said: “We have acted swiftly to ensure the safe departure of British nationals wanting to leave Gaza.

“Late last night we successfully assisted the departure of 27 British nationals and their Palestinian dependants from Gaza through Israel to Jordan for onward travel.

“I’m grateful to the UN, FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) staff from London, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Amman and to the Israeli and Jordanian authorities for their work to ensure the success of this operation.”

Mr Hague said at least 173 Palestinians have been killed and 1,230 injured in Gaza as of today, while 240 Israelis have been injured.

He told MPs: “The UN estimates that 80% of those killed have been civilians, of which a third are children.”

Mr Hague then told the Commons of the action to remove British nationals wanting to leave the area.