Ambassador Nimal Bandara: Lankan nationals trapped in Gaza Strip granted exit via Rafah Border crossing

by Gayan Samarasinghe

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara said that 17 Lankans trapped in the Gaza Strip have received special permission from the Israeli Administrative Authority to leave the area through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt.

The Ambassador said that this group includes 15 Sri Lankans and two Palestinians who are married to Sri Lankans and received special permission from Israel authorities to leave Gaza on Thursday (02).

However, the ambassador said four of the Sri Lankans are staying far away from the region and it has become quite difficult for those four Sri Lankans to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.

He also said that the large number of foreigners trapped in the Gaza Strip were given permission by the Israel Administrative Authority to use the Rafah entrance to leave the area and accordingly the group of Sri Lankans also traveled to Egypt.

So far, since the opening of the Rafah Gate on the Egyptian-Gaza border in order for the wounded and foreigners to leave the region, it has been revealed that about 400 people have entered Egypt through that gate, and 596 foreigners and people with dual citizenship It is also reported that they are allowed to enter Egypt through that entrance.

It has been reported that so far 400 people have come to Egypt through the Rafah gate on the Gaza border since it was opened to allow the wounded and foreigners to leave the region. It is also reported that 596 foreigners and people with dual citizenship have been allowed to enter Egypt through that entrance.