The US Embassy in Israel said on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip could open for foreign citizens by 10am.
Päivi Peltokoski, head of the Finnish liaison office in Ramallah, told Yle a week ago that there are some Finnish citizens in the area. According to Peltokoski, those stuck will probably not be able to leave Gaza on Saturday.
"According to information I have received from the [Israeli] military authorities, nobody would be allowed to leave the Gaza side today [Saturday]. Only humanitarian aid transports will take place today [Saturday]," Peltokoski clarified.
According to her, the Finnish citizens in Gaza have been in contact and are healthy.
"The Finns have moved further away from the border because there has been such a severe shortage of food and water. In addition, Israel has been bombing the border area this week and many have felt unsafe," Peltokoski told Yle.
Peltokoski said the Israeli military authorities did not give any information on when the Finns could be evacuated.
Protests in Helsinki
The conflict in the Middle East has also spurred protests in the Finnish capital.
On Friday and Saturday there were protests in support of Palestine.
The police estimate that at Saturday's protest, over roughly one thousand people attended the demonstration. According to the police, there were no arrests or altercations and the protest ended at 6pm.
The demonstration was organised by the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) Finland, the Arab Friendship Association, Peace Defenders, Palivoicesfin and the Finnish Palestine Network Association.
In addition, to the pro-Palestinian protests, police have also received notice of a pro-Israel demonstration in Helsinki's Narrinkatori on Sunday.
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