In a significant development, foreign passport holders have started departing from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip as Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing, a key border point, for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. The move follows weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment in response to Hamas attacks, leaving the tiny coastal territory grappling with catastrophic shortages of essentials, such as food, water, and electricity.
While exact figures of the individuals who managed to leave via the Rafah crossing remain unclear, live footage from the scene depicted crowds of people entering the Palestinian side of the terminal. This reopening of the crossing provides a ray of hope for around 400 foreigners and dual nationals who are expected to make the journey to safety.
Foreign governments have reported passport holders from 44 countries and 28 agencies, including UN bodies, residing in the Gaza Strip, where an estimated 2.4 million people have endured over three weeks of continuous Israeli airstrikes. The toll of the conflict has been severe, with the worst attacks in Israel’s history resulting in approximately 1,400 casualties, predominantly civilians.
The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, reports that over 8,500 people have lost their lives in the bombardments, with two-thirds of the victims being women and children.
In a separate humanitarian gesture, Egypt announced that the first group of 81 severely ill or injured Palestinians would be permitted to enter Egypt for medical treatment on this day. Television channels affiliated with the Egyptian intelligence services broadcast live images of a convoy of ambulances entering the terminal, signifying the beginning of this vital medical evacuation.
Palestinian sources anticipate that a total of 88 individuals will be transported across the border for medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
The decision to reopen the Rafah crossing came in the wake of an Israeli strike on Gaza’s largest refugee camp, Jabalia, where the health ministry reported at least 50 casualties. Egypt swiftly condemned the attack on Jabalia camp, expressing strong disapproval and warning against the dire consequences of indiscriminate attacks targeting defenseless civilians in a statement issued by the foreign ministry.
As international attention remains focused on the dire situation in Gaza, the reopening of the Rafah crossing serves as a significant development in providing relief to foreign nationals and Palestinian patients in need of medical care.
Sources By Agencies
