The last 17 were released on April 6, according to the French foreign ministry. They were ascendants of French nationals. "A total of over 260 people have now been able to leave the Gaza Strip since November 1, 2023," said the French foreign ministry in a statement.

To be included on the list that allows people to pass through the Rafah border crossing, south of the enclave, and enter Egyptian territory, the Ministry, with the help of the French consulate in Jerusalem and the French embassy in Cairo, did not limit itself to the criterion of the candidates' nationality. "Given the seriousness of the crisis, the criteria have been broadened compared to other conflict. The French effort in this regard is unprecedented," said French consul general in Jerusalem Nicolas Kassianides.

French nationals were first registered, along with their spouses and children; then French government employees, their spouses, minor children, and those with a valid residence permit in France. Subsequently, the green light was given to adult children of French nationals and government employees, as well as to ascendants of French nationals.

Palestinians with refugee status in France can bring their families if they have a family reunification agreement from the Interior Ministry. And the families of those with a valid residence permit in France can be evacuated if Place Beauvau agrees. All the French nationals who asked to be evacuated are out of Gaza.

Struggle with Israeli authorities

Before the departure of the last 17 people on April 6, 242 people had been evacuated from Gaza to Egypt thanks to French authorities, of whom 193 left for France. These included 54 French nationals and their 38 dependents, 11 Palestinian staff from the French Institute, one local staff member from the French Development Agency, and 78 Palestinian dependents. The few French nationals who remain in Gaza – no more than 5, according to the consulate in Jerusalem – are unwilling to evacuate under current conditions.

Exits are targeted by the Egyptian authorities, who demand that Palestinians stay less than 72 hours on their soil. Israel may also have slowed down the procedure. Foreign Ministry officials refer discreetly to a struggle with Israeli authorities. "We are going to pursue our efforts relentlessly despite the difficulty of the operations and in particular the external blockades that can prevent or delay exits," said Kassianides. At least four Palestinian agents of the French Institute were thus reportedly blocked by the Israelis.

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