– You know what? Today we are going to visit dad. You’re going to meet dad and Julia. We’re going to eat, we’re going to use the internet, we’re going to watch TikTok, says Samah Abushawish to two-year-old Jasmin. news meets them at the border crossing with two other family members. Abushawish says she is “very sad” after having to leave family members behind inside Gaza. She has tried to go to Rafah twice without success. Samah with her daughter in the waiting area in Rafah. Photo: AHMED ABU KMAIL / news – The first thing I will do is cook for my husband and daughter whom I have missed so much. And then I will contact family and friends. Last night, the first group of Norwegian citizens were told that they could leave Gaza during Wednesday. The border crossing in southern Rafah opened at 8 am Norwegian time. 9 hours later, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed that all the Norwegian citizens had made it to Egypt. Jasmin (2) is going home to her father and sister in Norway. Photo: AHMED ABU KMAIL / news Fears for relatives left behind news also met Hadil at the border on Wednesday. She did not want to give her last name, but is also a Norwegian citizen, and said that she traveled here to be with her family. – We have seen very difficult things. Many people have died. I have lost my uncle, which was very painful for me. – I do not know what to say. I have lost a lot here during this period. Hadil says that she has been in Gaza for a few months. Photo: AHMED ABU KMAIL / news She still has family inside Gaza. She says that she is worried that they will be in pain, but that she hopes it will go well. – I am still very scared after everything that has happened to me. – Now I’m just going to sit at home and have peace. On family holiday in Gaza – I was on holiday here in Palestine, and suddenly the war started. There was shooting and rockets everywhere. Adults, children and old people have been killed. So says Mohammed Dahalan, who waited with his family on Wednesday morning. He tells news that they have not had access to food or clean water for a long time. Mohammed Dahalan (v) was in Gaza on holiday with his family when the war broke out. Photo: Ahmed Abu Kmail The four hope that they will soon be able to travel to Norway, and are elated after the message about departure finally came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. – Norway contacted us yesterday. We were very happy that we get help to get out. Many thanks to Norway, says Dahalan. His daughter, Aya Dahalan, is marked by what she has experienced inside Gaza. Aya Dahalan says that what she and her family have experienced has been scary. Photo: Ahmed Abu Kmail – It was scary because there were rockets and shooting everywhere. There were many children and old people killed, she says to news. All 51 are out On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) met the press about the situation for the Norwegian citizens in Gaza. They confirmed that all 51 who had been notified to leave on Tuesday evening made it to the border and over to the Egyptian side. – We have received a signal that more people can be cleared for departure tomorrow, said Støre. Barth Eide said it would probably then be about the same number as today. Many had turned up at the Rafah border on Wednesday. Photo: Ahmed Abu Kmail If 50 new Norwegian citizens are released tomorrow, there will still be around 150 Norwegian citizens left in Gaza. – We are not at the finish line until everyone is out, said Støre. The two buses that will transport the Norwegian citizens to Cairo are now full and have left Rafah. This is confirmed by news from one of the evacuees who is himself sitting on the bus that left the border last. The buses are probably in Cairo sometime tonight. Getting help in Cairo On the Egyptian side of the border, medical staff, embassy staff and ID and document experts are waiting to help those who come forward. A reception center awaits in Cairo. Here they will be able to get health care and help with travel documents. – They could easily have lost their passports and other documents. In Cairo, they will be able to get new ones issued, and help with their further journey, said Barth Eide. He could not say when they would come to Norway, but that it should happen as quickly as possible. A Norwegian emergency team is ready to receive those who cross the border. Photo: Handout / UD During the press conference, there were questions about what happens if you are on the list, but do not make it in time. – From other countries, I have seen that people who are on the list, but turn up the next day, are taken care of, says Støre. – You do not lose your status as cleared if you do not arrive in time, added Barth Eide.
ttn-69