Australians still stuck in Gaza nine months into war with no way out

SBS News understands a number of Australians remain stuck in Gaza and are unable to leave the besieged strip, despite seeking assistance from the government.

The Rafah border crossing, which had been the only exit point for people leaving Gaza, has been closed since May. The number of Australians still stuck there is unclear. Source: EPA / EPA

A number of Australians remain stranded in Gaza, unable to leave the war-torn territory, nine months into the Hamas-Israel war, SBS News understands.

It is unclear how many Australian citizens remain in Gaza.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says it is doing what it can to provide support.

"The Australian government recognises that this is an incredibly distressing time for those with friends and family in Gaza," DFAT said in a statement to SBS News.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to do all we can to support Australians and their immediate family members, including parents, still in Gaza who wish to depart but are unable to do so."

There is currently no way for people to leave Gaza.

The Rafah crossing was the only entry and exit point for people in the strip following the outbreak of war on October 7, and it has been closed since 6 May, when Israel's offensive began in Gaza's south.

In November last year, some Australians were able to exit via the Rafah crossing.

Israeli tanks operating by the Rafah crossing on 7 May 2024. Credit: IDF/Cover Images

DFAT reiterated that the Rafah border crossing is controlled by the Egyptian and Israeli authorities, not the Australian government.

"Throughout the conflict they have put tight restrictions on who can cross, and it is currently closed," it said.

"While we are doing all we can, the Australian government must work within this system, as do other countries with nationals in Gaza.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in ongoing communication with Israeli and Egyptian authorities as well as like-minded countries."

The government has supported 268 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their family members to depart Gaza since 7 October 2023.

Many Palestinians with Australian visitor visas remain in Gaza

At least 38,443 Palestinians have been killed in the past nine months, according to Gaza's health ministry.

On Sunday, the health ministry said 90 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in an Israeli-designated safe zone in the strip's south where 80,000 people were sheltering.

Israel said it was targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, but says it is unclear whether he was killed.

Susan Wahhab, from the Palestinian Christians in Australia community group, said she was unaware of any Australians stuck in Gaza.

However, she said she knew of around 200 Palestinians who were granted Australian visitor visas six months ago but are now unable to leave.

Wahhab said the group had been sheltering from Israeli bombardment in two churches in Gaza City and northern Gaza since the war began.

She said that a mosque near one church was recently blown up.

"They are scared, there's no food, there's fighting right next to them," Wahhab told SBS News.