Swedish Gaza evacuation postponed

18 months ago: Palestinians with Swedish citizenship load their luggage onto a bus after crossing from the Gaza Strip into Israel through the Erez Crossing, Thursday June 21, 2007. Palestinian dual nationals and foreigners working in Gaza were being allowed to pass through Israel on Thursday for other points, and by midday, 60 Palestinian-Americans had left Gaza for Jordan, and eight World Bank employees also quit the strip, Israeli sources said.

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.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

http://www.thelocal.se/16754/20090107/