Blog post | 18-11-2023 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Read the travel advice (in Dutch) for: Israël / the Palestinian Territories / Lebanon / Iraq.
• This is a translation of the Dutch-language blog. The Dutch text takes precedence.

This liveblog closed, new update blog opened

Update 16 November 9.00

This liveblog is now closed. This new blog provides news and updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories and the Dutch nationals who remain there. This new blog will publish updates on the situation in and around Gaza and the Dutch nationals who are still there.

Second group to leave Gaza has now arrived in the Netherlands from Cairo

Update 15 November 15:40

The 10 people who left Gaza on Sunday and Monday arrived in the Netherlands today. They were accompanied on their journey from Egypt by staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They were met upon arrival and will be given further assistance appropriate to their individual situations. We wish to thank all colleagues at the various ministries involved for the excellent cooperation in ensuring these people could return home safely and with the appropriate support.

We will continue to actively work to ensure that the remaining 14 people with whom we remain in contact can leave Gaza as soon as possible.

Four Dutch nationals leave Gaza

Update 13 November, 16.24
Today a further four people with Dutch nationality or residence status and their families have arrived in Egypt. A team from the Dutch embassy in Cairo was at the Rafah border crossing to meet them. Once in Cairo they will be able to receive medical and psychosocial care. We thank the staff at the Ministry of Defence for their cooperation in this regard.

The Dutch embassy will help these people prepare to return to the Netherlands. It is currently unclear when they will travel. Various options are being examined.

At this time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with 14 people in Gaza who have Dutch nationality or residence status and their families. We hope that they will be able to leave Gaza as soon as possible and are doing everything we can to ensure that happens.

If in the coming days more people are eligible to leave Gaza, we will inform those individuals concerned first. For security reasons, we cannot disclose any other operational information. We will let the public know once these people are safely in Egypt.

EU issues urgent call for immediate pause in fighting and opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza

Update 12 November, 20:49

EU member states are jointly calling for immediate pauses in fighting and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza.

‘More must be done to urgently improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This will be among my key messages at the Foreign Affairs Council tomorrow,’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot said on X.

Read Ms Bruins Slot's full message on X.

Read the EU's statement in full here.

Foreign minister Hanke Bruins Slot: ‘I’m grateful that Dutch nationals are now safe’

Update 12 November, 18:16

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot is grateful that six people with Dutch nationality or residence status have arrived from Gaza in Egypt through Rafah. She shared this on X.

She added that the Dutch embassy in Cairo would provide reception for these six people that have arrived from Gaza. The Netherlands continues its efforts to get the other Dutch nationals who are still stuck in Gaza out as soon as possible and bring them to safety. Ms Bruins Slot is leading these efforts.

Read her full message (in Dutch) on X.

Second group of Dutch nationals left Gaza on Sunday

Update 12 November, 17:55

Today, six people with Dutch nationality or residence status left Gaza through the Rafah border crossing and arrived in Egypt. They were met at the border in Egypt and provided initial assistance by representatives of Belgium. Shortly thereafter, a team from the Dutch embassy in Cairo arrived to further assist the six-person group, who are currently being transported from the border to Cairo by the embassy team. In Cairo, the Ministry of Defence will provide medical and psychosocial care to those who would like it. The Dutch embassy will help this group of people to prepare to return to the Netherlands. It is currently unclear how and when they will travel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently learned of two additional people who are stuck in Gaza. At this time the ministry is in contact with 18 people in Gaza with Dutch nationality or residence status. We hope that they will be able to leave Gaza as soon as possible and are doing everything we can to ensure that happens.

If in the coming days more people are eligible to leave Gaza, we will inform those individuals concerned first. For security reasons, we cannot disclose any other operational information. We will let the public know once these people are safely in Egypt.

Reports of reopening of Rafah border crossing

Update 6 November 16:07

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken note of reports in the media about the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. We are making every effort to get the 22 individuals we are in contact with (Dutch nationals, residence permit holders and their immediate family members) safely out of Gaza as soon as possible.

If there is an opportunity for these people to cross the border in the coming days, they will be informed of this first. For security reasons we will not release further operational information. As was the case last week, we will only give further details once these people have safely reached the embassy team in Egypt.

Recap of events over the weekend

Update 6 November, 10:12

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in contact with 22 people in the Gaza Strip. These are Dutch passport or residence permit holders and their immediate family members. The number of people has grown because new people have got in touch with the ministry.

On Saturday 4 November the first 16 evacuees from Gaza arrived in the Netherlands. They had crossed into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. In Egypt they were received by staff from the Dutch embassy in Cairo and other BZ staff.

The Dutch government is relieved that the first Dutch people have left the area. See foreign minister Hanke Bruins Slot’s post on X (in Dutch). The Netherlands continues to press for humanitarian pauses so that aid can reach Gaza. Prime Minister Mark Rutte reported on X that he spoke with the prime minister of Lebanon about preventing further escalation in the region.

Watch: Dutch citizens and their families welcomed in Cairo after leaving Gaza

Update 3 November, 17:27

Yesterday 16 individuals who have a Dutch passport or residence permit, or are an immediate family member of a Dutch passport or residence permit holder, left the Gaza Strip and crossed safely into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. The group has been taken to Cairo, where they are receiving any necessary medical treatment and psychosocial support. The group will depart for the Netherlands on Saturday 4 November, accompanied by staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.

Watch the video on NOS.nl of the group being addressed by Dutch ambassador Peter Mollema.

No Dutch nationals or their immediate family members leaving Gaza via Rafah crossing today

Update 3 November, 10:06

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assumes that no Dutch nationals, Dutch residence permit holders or their family members will leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing today. Furthermore, a number of new individuals have alerted the ministry to their presence in Gaza. This now means that the ministry is currently in contact with 14 people in Gaza. That number may change if more people register their presence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch embassies and representations in the region continue to use all available diplomatic channels to ensure that all Dutch nationals, residence permit holders and their immediate family members who have registered their presence can leave Gaza as soon as possible.

The Dutch representation in Ramallah and the consular call team at the ministry remain in active contact with the aforementioned people. It remains unclear when they will be able to leave Gaza. Together with other EU member states and countries in the region, every effort is being made to ensure foreign nationals can safely leave the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.

Minister Schreinemacher: 'We will continue to push for humanitarian pauses in Gaza'

Update 2 November, 16:05

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher also wrote on X that she welcomed the good news that Dutch nationals had been able to safely cross from Gaza into Egypt. She also wrote that, together with international partners, she will continue to push for humanitarian pauses.

Read Ms Schreinemacher’s full message on X here (in Dutch).

Prime Minister Rutte thanks international partners for helping Dutch nationals leave Gaza

Update 2 November, 15:44

Writing on X, Prime Minister Rutte thanked international partners Egypt and Qatar for the role they played in negotiations to ensure foreign nationals could leave Gaza. Mr Rutte welcomed the good news that Dutch nationals and their immediate family members had been able to cross the border into Egypt.

He also wrote of his discussions with President Mohamed Bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates and President Abdelfattah Elsisi of Egypt concerning the situation in Gaza and the efforts being made to explore other ways to increase the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Read Prime Minister Rutte’s full message on X here.

Rafah border crossing to Egypt to reopen

Update 2 November, 10:24

The Rafah border crossing to Egypt will open today for the second time to allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Dutch nationals and holders of valid Dutch residence permits, and members of their immediate families, currently stuck in Gaza. 

The Dutch embassy in Egypt stands ready to receive and support Dutch nationals and Dutch residence permit holders and members of their immediate families once they cross the border. We are aware of media reports regarding people who will be allowed to cross the border today. For reasons of security the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not share operational information until after people have safely left Gaza.

Message to Dutch citizens in the Palestinian Territories via the BZ Information Service

Update 1 November, 20:24
Dear Dutch citizens in the Palestinian Territories,

We sympathize with you in these anxious times and hope that you are safe. The past few weeks have been particularly intense and evoke many emotions for everyone.

Our colleagues from the contact team are in frequent contact with Dutch citizens in Gaza, although circumstances make this difficult and the telephone and internet connection is poor. The Dutch government continues to advocate for humanitarian pauses and corridors. So that help can reach the people who desperately need it. And to ensure that Dutch citizens, and all other foreigners, can leave Gaza as quickly as possible.

Today the Rafah border crossing into Egypt was open for the departure of a limited number of wounded people and foreigners in Gaza. Unfortunately, no Dutch citizens or persons with a valid residence permit for the Netherlands and their nuclear families were among the first group of people who could leave Gaza. We are in close contact with the international partners involved. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be informed when the border crossing opens for them. We will then inform the Dutch citizens in Gaza immediately.

There is also contact with Dutch citizens who are still in the West Bank. Unfortunately, the security situation remains unstable. There are demonstrations and violence takes place between different population groups. There is a risk that violence will spread.

We would like to remind you that the color code of the travel advisory for the West Bank (except East Jerusalem) and Gaza is red. Are you in East Jerusalem? Leave the area if your presence there is not essential. Are you in the red area? Leave if it is safe to do so. In red and orange areas we cannot help you , or help you less well.

There are currently still flights from Tel Aviv airport to Amsterdam and other European cities (see: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en). Please note that this number may decrease quickly. Eilat and Amman airports are possible alternatives.

The opening hours of checkpoints and border crossings are uncertain and unpredictable and can change at any time.
View the opening hours of the checkpoints via: www.accesscoordination.org
View the opening hours of the border crossings via:
• Allenby Bridge crossing: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/about
• Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein crossing: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/jordan-river/about
• Taba/Menahem Begin crossing: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/menachem-begin/about
• Yitzhak Rabin/Arava crossing: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/about

It is important for us to know which Dutch citizens are in the Palestinian Territories.
• ARE YOU in the Palestinian Territories? Make sure you are registered with the Information Service under the option 'aanmelden + registratie bij de ambassade': https://informatieservice.nederlandwereldwijd.nl Use the yellow button for this.
• Are you NOT in the Palestinian Territories? De-register immediately from the Information Service: https://informatieservice.nederlandwereldwijd.nl Use the yellow button for this.

We hope you are and stay safe. Do you have any questions? Then please contact us at: +31 247 247 247.

Yours sincerely,
Dutch Representation in Ramallah

Update 1 November, 18:34

The Rafah border crossing to Egypt opened today to allow a limited number of injured persons and foreign nationals to leave Gaza. Unfortunately, no Dutch nationals, holders of a valid Dutch residence permit , or their immediate family members, were among this first group.

We remain in close contact with our international partners. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be informed when the border will open to this group and will inform these people promptly. We are advising people not to go to the border unless they have been advised to do so. For reasons of security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not share any further details of this process.  

We hope that everyone we are in contact with will be allowed to cross the border as soon as possible, and we see the opening of the border today as a first hopeful indication of this.

Minister Schreinemacher speaks with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

Update 1 November, 18.16

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, shared details of her meeting with Lynn Hastings, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestinian Territories, on X. 

“Expressed my gratitude to @LynnHastings and her team for their diplomatic work under immense challenging conditions. I emphasized the UN’s vital role in delivering aid to the people in #Gaza and support calls for immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access.”

Read the full details here on X.

What is the situation at the Rafah border crossing to Egypt?

Update 1 november, 12:23

The Rafah border crossing to Egypt is currently open to injured persons and/or foreign nationals in Gaza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Dutch nationals and Dutch residence permit holders stuck in Gaza, and members of their immediate families. At present it is unclear when the border crossing will be open to them. As soon as the border is opened for this group, we will inform them promptly.

We are advising people not to go to the border if they have not been advised to do so. As soon as the crossing is opened, a team from the embassy in Egypt stands ready to receive and support Dutch nationals and Dutch residence permit holders and their immediate families. For reasons of security the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not share operational information until the Dutch nationals and Dutch residence permit holders and members of their immediate families have left Gaza.

A message from Minister Bruins Slot: our team stands ready in Egypt to receive Dutch nationals at the border

Update 1 november, 10:44

Minister Bruins Slot posted on X (in Dutch): ‘Good news that the first group of injured people and foreign nationals are being allowed to leave Gaza via Egypt. We are in close contact with Dutch nationals in Gaza and members of their immediate family. Our @MinBZ team stands ready to receive them at the border if they manage to cross over.’

Foreign ministry in close contact with Dutch nationals in Gaza about possible border opening

Update 31 october, 22:53

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is consulting closely with its international partners about reports that injured civilians and/or foreign nationals may be allowed to leave Gaza via the Egyptian border. This evening we also informed the 27 Dutch nationals there and their immediate families about the new development.

For security reasons, the full details of the border opening are not being made public. As previously announced, a team will be on stand-by in Egypt to receive the Dutch nationals and provide support in the event that the border is indeed opened.

Minister Schreinemacher speaks with UNRWA Commissioner-General

Update 30 October, 18:22

On X, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher shared details of her meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini today, where they discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Read the full details here on X.

Prime Minister Rutte speaks with families of Dutch nationals trapped in Gaza

Update 30 October, 18:08

Today, Prime Minister Rutte spoke with families of Dutch nationals trapped in Gaza, saying that it was ‘of the utmost importance that all foreign nationals can leave Gaza as soon as possible’.

Read the full details here on X

Defence news: The Netherlands is preparing for various scenarios in the Middle East

Update 30 October, 15:02

In a collaborative undertaking, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence have deployed around 200 service personnel and civilian staff to the island of Cyprus. From that location, the Netherlands would be able to rapidly deploy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft if, in the worst-case scenario, it were to become necessary to carry out further evacuations due to the unrest in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. This is a complex logistical operation on account of the rapid response time involved.

The decision to carry out evacuations, which would take place in close consultation and collaboration with other countries, is considered a last resort. Or, in official terms: evacuation will take place if there are no commercial options for departure and there is a serious security threat to Dutch nationals on the ground and local authorities are no longer able to provide protection.

There is no guarantee whatsoever that evacuation will be possible if the security situation should further deteriorate. This is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on Dutch nationals in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories not to wait until it is too late: leave now while it is still possible.

Read the whole article here (in Dutch)

Statement Minister Bruins Slot on abstaining of Netherlands on Jordanian resolution at UNGA

Update 28 October, 19.12

The Netherlands abstained on the Jordanian resolution at the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on 27 October. In doing so the Netherlands presented an explanation of its vote, laying out the following considerations.

The resolution includes many points that are important for the Netherlands, as they are for other countries: for example, the statement that all the parties must comply with international humanitarian law, the condemnation of violence against civilians, and the call for humanitarian access.

On the other hand, the resolution also included points that the Netherlands could not support. In response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October and the continuing threat from Hamas, the Netherlands recognises Israel’s right to self-defence, in keeping with the principles of international humanitarian law, and respecting the principles of proportionality. This right to self-defence was absent from the resolution.

The resolution also includes a call for a ceasefire. This is not compatible with Israel’s right to counter the continuing threat from Hamas. This is why the Netherlands is calling instead for humanitarian pauses in order to enable humanitarian access and to provide civilians in Gaza with essential goods and services.

Something else that the Netherlands feels is missing in the resolution is an adequate call for the immediate release of all the hostages. We emphasise in the explanation of our vote that the Netherlands calls on all parties to exercise restraint. Additional civilian victims must be avoided, and the cycle of violence must be broken.

The Netherlands does share the major concerns regarding the lack of immediate humanitarian access to Gaza, and is using all means available to facilitate the importation of food, water, fuel and medicines to Gaza. This is why the Netherlands calls for humanitarian pauses and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.

The Netherlands increases its contribution to humanitarian aid in Gaza

Update 27 October, 18:05

The Netherlands is making an additional 15 million euros available for humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of Gaza. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher announced this extra contribution on Friday. The money is intended for food, water and medical care for the civilian population, and will go to the Red Cross, the World Food Programme and a number of Dutch aid organisations. ‘The need for relief is acute. Medicine, water and food are required. This money is intended to meet this need.’

Read the full announcement on Government.nl.

Message to Dutch citizens in Iraq via the BZ Information Service

Update 27 October, 13:36

Dear Dutch citizens in Iraq,

Hopefully you are well and safe.

Following the developments in Gaza and Israel, we would once again like to bring the travel advice for Iraq to your attention. Political tensions and unrest have led to demonstrations throughout the country, especially in major cities. These demonstrations can lead to violence and could specifically be aimed at Western targets. The security situation in Iraq can deteriorate further fast.

The color code of the travel advice for Iraq is red, with the exception of the northern provinces of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk (where the travel advice is orange: only essential travel). We repeat the call to Dutch people: do not travel to the red areas. If you are in a red area, leave immediately. Are you in an orange area? Check whether your stay is still necessary. If not, leave the country.

In 'red' and 'orange' areas, the Netherlands embassy cannot or probably cannot help you if you get into difficulty. The Netherlands embassy in Baghdad and the Netherlands consulate general in Erbil can only provide very limited consular assistance.
View the Iraq travel advice and read what this means for you (https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/reisadvies/irak).

Evacuation by the Netherlands government from Iraq is not an issue. It is also not a given that an evacuation could and will take place if the security situation continues to deteriorate. Our advice is therefore: leave, with commercial airlines, while that is still possible. Don't wait until it's too late.

Are you still in Iraq? Register with the BZ Information Service: https://informatieservice.nederlandwereldwijd.nl (choose ‘Aanmelden + registratie bij ambassade').
Have you left the country? Unsubscribe immediately via the Information Service: https://informatieservice.nederlandwereldwijd.nl. Use the yellow button for this.

If you have any questions, you can call +31 247 247 247 or send a Whatsapp message to +31 6 8238 7796.

Sincerely,
The Netherlands embassy in Iraq

Growing fear and uncertainty for Dutch nationals in Gaza

Update 27 October, 13:32

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing its best to maintain contact with, at present, 23 people in Gaza. These are people with Dutch nationality or residence status and their immediate family members. The ministry is concerned for their safety and wellbeing. As previously reported, a 33-year-old Dutch women in Gaza was killed over the weekend.

Ministry staff in Ramallah and The Hague having been in frequent contact with these individuals, primarily by phone and social media. In the case of a group, the ministry communicates with a single contact person. Energy shortages and unstable connections make it more difficult to maintain contact, but through sustained efforts it has generally been possible.

There is a growing sense of fear and uncertainty among the Dutch nationals in Gaza. In addition to the ongoing fighting, they are also dealing with the severe lack of necessities such as drinking water, food and medicine. And although they certainly appreciate the contact with the ministry, it is disheartening for them to keep hearing that there is still no clear idea of when they will be able to leave Gaza.

The Netherlands continues to work through diplomatic channels and with international partners to do everything possible to enable Dutch nationals and their families to leave Gaza. Diplomatic discussions at every level are ongoing. In the international diplomatic arena, foreign minister Hanke Bruins Slot and Prime Minister Mark Rutte are calling for these people’s safe passage. Dutch representatives in Cairo, Ramallah and Tel Aviv are working hard to make this happen, and within the UN and EU they continue to draw attention to this issue.

Should the borders open, there is a team standing ready to help these people.

Minister Bruins Slot meets UN Secretary General Guterres

Update October 25, 16.01

Minister Hanke Bruins Slot met with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres yesterday. They talked about the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote this on X (message in Dutch). Bruins Slot expressed her condolences for the deceased UN employees in Gaza.

Minister Schreinemacher speaks with Red Cross about aid to Gaza

Update 25 October, 14.38

Minister Liesje Schreinemacher (Development Cooperation) spoke today with the Red Cross and Dutch Relief. Both organisations provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. 'The Netherlands offers support and continues to urge for unhindered humanitarian access', Schreinemacher writes on X.

Prime Minister posts message about his meeting with people from the Palestinian community in the Netherlands

Update 25 October 13.12

Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke with members of the Palestinian community in the Netherlands. ‘I’m grateful we were able to have this frank and open discussion. And we will continue the conversation, with the groups concerned, throughout the Netherlands. So we can continue to stand together.’

Read the full message on X (in Dutch).

Message to all Dutch nationals in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon: register with the Foreign Affairs Information Service

Update 25 October 09.00
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages all Dutch nationals in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon to register with the Foreign Affairs information service. This way we know who is still in the country, where they are and how to reach them.

The Ministry’s contact centre is available all hours of the day and night for Dutch nationals who need emergency assistance: +31 247 247 247.

New live blog opened: read the updates from October 7 until October 24

Update 25 October 09.00
This blog contains news and updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. For previous updates: see the live blog from October 7 up to and including October 24. This new blog has been opened to ensure faster loading speeds for the page.