Swedish Gaza evacuation postponed
TT/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 7 Jan, 2009 CET.
Updated: Wed 7 Jan 2009 08:59 CET
Swedish citizens trapped in Gaza will not be evacuated on Wednesday as originally planned, the foreign ministry has confirmed.
"This is due to an escalation of the fighting. The International Committee of the Red Cross is of the view that their safety cannot be guaranteed," said ministry spokesman André Mkandawire.
According to Mkandawire, the Swedish consulate in Jerusalem spent much of Tuesday evening trying to get in touch with the 34 Swedes hoping to leave Gaza.
"We're now back to square one more or less and have no information as to when they can make the journey home," he said.
More and more people have been getting in touch with the consulate in Jerusalem as Israel continues its ground offensive.
If travel permits are issued and the Swedes are allowed to leave Gaza, they will travel by bus with a diplomatic escort through the border crossing at Erez.
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"This is due to an escalation of the fighting. The International Committee of the Red Cross is of the view that their safety cannot be guaranteed," said ministry spokesman André Mkandawire.
According to Mkandawire, the Swedish consulate in Jerusalem spent much of Tuesday evening trying to get in touch with the 34 Swedes hoping to leave Gaza.
"We're now back to square one more or less and have no information as to when they can make the journey home," he said.
More and more people have been getting in touch with the consulate in Jerusalem as Israel continues its ground offensive.
If travel permits are issued and the Swedes are allowed to leave Gaza, they will travel by bus with a diplomatic escort through the border crossing at Erez.
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