Two German citizens and two close relatives have been permitted to leave the Gaza Strip, according to a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, confirming reports from “Der Spiegel”. The departure occurred in close coordination with Israeli authorities and marks a continuing effort to facilitate the departure of foreign nationals.
The group is being transported by bus through Israel and the West Bank to Jordan, where they will subsequently board a commercial flight to Germany. They are among a larger cohort of Western nationals, including citizens of Belgium, France, Italy and Sweden, as well as Australian and Japanese citizens, who have been granted permission to leave the area. The total number of individuals expected to depart is in the low double digits.
The German government continues to actively pursue the release of German citizens still being held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Protecting the safety and well-being of German nationals remains a top priority.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the number of German citizens and their family members still located within the Gaza Strip is now very limited. German diplomatic missions in Ramallah and Amman are providing consular support to those seeking to leave. Information suggests that a low single-digit number of German citizens remain in the territory.