Foreign Nationals Leave Gaza For Egypt Through Rafah Crossing

In a critical development, hundreds of foreign nationals and wounded individuals were allowed to leave the war-ravaged Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as the Rafah crossing to Egypt reopened for the first time following the October 7th Hamas attacks. Despite numerous aid convoys passing between Egypt and Gaza, the Rafah crossing had remained closed to people until this pivotal moment. Early on Wednesday, long queues began to form at the terminal as approximately 545 foreign nationals and dual citizens, along with about 90 sick and wounded individuals, anxiously awaited their opportunity to depart the beleaguered territory. Upon entry to the terminal area, substantial lines formed around passport and document verification booths, reflecting the desperation of those seeking to leave. On the Egyptian side, ambulances were stationed to transport the wounded and sick, offering hope and relief to those in dire need of medical attention. The area surrounding the terminal has sustained damage during Israeli air raids on Gaza following the Hamas attacks, which, according to Israeli authorities, resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 1,400 lives, the majority of whom were civilians, with an additional 240 people taken hostage. Among those being evacuated for medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals are more than 15,000 individuals who have been injured in retaliatory Israeli strikes. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that these strikes have claimed the lives of more than 8,500 people, with two-thirds of the victims being women and children, underscoring the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.