Egypt opened the Rafah crossing on Wednesday, the 1st of November, to allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza through Egypt. This is the first time such exit permits have been granted since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. A certain number of wounded Palestinian civilians have also entered Egypt to receive the necessary medical treatment, reports Politico.
Following an agreement between Israel, Egypt, and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, a list of foreign passport holders who can pass through the crossing was confirmed, reports Reuters.
The list includes people from Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Japan, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Australia, and Jordan.
The list includes around 500 people due to leave on Wednesday,
reports Reuters. A source familiar with the deal said it is unlikely that all 500 would be able to leave on Wednesday.
Israel and Egypt have agreed on a list of foreign passport holders who will be allowed to leave Gaza and the embassies concerned have been informed, a Western official said.
The UK Foreign Office wrote on X: “As far as we know, the crossing will be open for controlled and limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals and seriously injured people to leave,” adding that the nationals’ “departure will take place in stages over the coming days”.
Egypt has prepared a field hospital in Sheikh Zuweid, 15 km from Rafah, and plans to refer some patients there or to a nearby hospital, depending on the severity of their condition.
As Egypt is cautious about the insecurity along the border with Gaza, only persons with security clearance from the Egyptian authorities are allowed to approach the Rafah crossing, as per Reuters.
BNN already reported that Israel launched counter-strikes across the Gaza Strip after more than 1 400 people were killed in Hamas attack on the 7th of October. According to the Hamas-led Ministry of Health, more than 8 500 people, including children, have died in the attacks.
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