A British doctor found himself being sent back to the Gaza warzone after an evacuation mix-up, according to his local MP Geraint Davies.
Dr. Ahmed Sabra, who initially attempted to escape Gaza with his family amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas, was reportedly excluded from the approved list of foreign nationals.
Davies shared video and voice notes recorded by Dr. Sabra during his journey to the Rafah crossing, where he hoped to enter Egypt for safety. While Sabra’s family successfully crossed, he was left stranded at the border.
In a shared video, Sabra described the situation as a “death sentence” and called on the British government to intervene and ensure the safe evacuation of British nationals.
The MP, Geraint Davies, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that Dr. Sabra had been left without shelter, with minimal phone charge and data, in a dangerous area. Davies raised the issue with the UK Foreign Office, urging them to take immediate action to secure Sabra’s safety.
According to Davies, the doctor waited at the border for two and a half days, hoping for the British embassy’s intervention. Despite being provided with basic necessities, Sabra was eventually sent back to Gaza on a bus.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated that they are working tirelessly to facilitate the evacuation of all British nationals from Gaza. While they mentioned the submission of details to Israeli and Egyptian authorities, there was no specific reference to Dr. Sabra’s case.
As pressure mounts, over 4,800 people have signed an online petition, urging swift action to expedite Sabra’s evacuation. The British Islamic Medical Association also joined the call, demanding the urgent evacuation of Dr. Sabra and other British nationals trapped in Gaza.
British Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell revealed that more than 150 British nationals have left Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing.
