Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara states that at least 27 Sri Lankans living in northern Gaza are reportedly moving to southern Gaza.

He further mentioned that they are planning to travel to Egypt together with other people living in Gaza who are currently heading to the South.

“Currently, the people living especially in the northern part of Gaza have moved to the South. Among them, there are 27 Sri Lankans,” he said quoting the Representative Office of Sri Lanka in Palestine.

“The 27 Sri Lankans are expected to travel to Egypt with the rest of the group [of evacuees]. The Palestine Office will make arrangements for that through a road opened by them [Egyptian authorities]”, he said.

Furthermore, Mr. Bandara said it has been confirmed that there are foreign nationals from around 36 countries including Sri Lanka, among nearly 150 individuals who are being held hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“The Red Cross has requested the heads of the Hamas to provide information regarding them. I trust that we will be able to access information as to whether the two Sri Lankans who are currently reported missing are among these hostages”, he added.

Last week, the Israeli military ordered some 1 million people to evacuate the southern part of Gaza ahead of an expected ground invasion in retaliation for the surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Meanwhile, MP Chaminda Wijesiri stated that the government should properly manage the impending economic issues prompted by the escalating war between Israel and Palestine, as it can have adverse effects on the island nation.

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, who also commented in this regard, pointed out that the President remains on alert regarding the impact of the war on Sri Lanka.