Overseas Minister Penny Wong stated she may hear the sounds of the evacuated Australian kids within the background when she spoke to Australia’s ambassador to Egypt earlier immediately.
Wong stated the ambassador, Dr Axel Wabenhorst, instructed her that the 23 Australians and relations within the first group to evacuate Gaza through the Rafah crossing appeared to be in good well being after their seven-hour bus journey.
Consular officers serving to evacuated Australians on to a coach for Cairo on the Rafah crossing from Gaza.
Wong stated consular officers would guarantee anybody who wanted pressing medical consideration would obtain it in Cairo, and that the federal government was arranging transport house to Australia. She stated this is able to be freed from cost for the passengers.
The international minister stated there about 85 Australian residents, everlasting residents, visa holders and relations in Gaza, and that Australian authorities have been attempting to help all of them.
“I understand how distressing this example is for them and for the following of kin,” Wong stated. “Please be assured we are going to proceed to press for all of you to cross the border out of Gaza.”
Wong was requested concerning the Australian citizen who remained behind in Gaza as a result of his spouse, a visa holder, had not been allowed to exit Gaza on the Rafah crossing. This was a reference to Abdallah Dahalaan, 77, who we blogged about earlier.
Wong stated she assumed he could be registered with the Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce and that due to this fact consular officers would keep up a correspondence.
“Clearly communications have been disrupted at occasions in troublesome circumstances, however we’re in touch with all of the Australians who’re registered and we’re searching for to help all of those that want to depart,” she stated.
She stated evacuating Australians out of Gaza was advanced as a result of there have been 1000’s of international nationals in Gaza and 350 have been permitted passage, together with the 23 sure for Australia.