Rafah Crossing, Nov 2: The Palestinian authorities in Gaza have released a list of around 500 people who have been informed that they can go to the Rafah border crossing to enter Egypt. This list includes Palestinians who also hold citizenship from various countries, including Japan, Austria, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Jordan, Italy, Greece, Australia, and the Czech Republic.
In a significant development amid the ongoing tensions in the region, a group of 335 foreign passport holders, including British nationals, were granted permission to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing on Wednesday. This move marks a rare exception to the closure of Gaza’s borders, which had been in effect since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
The Rafah crossing, which serves as a vital gateway between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, is expected to continue opening for limited time periods to facilitate the departure of foreign nationals and injured civilians. This decision comes as a relief to those who have been trapped in the conflict zone and unable to leave due to the recent hostilities.
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Egypt says they will help evacuate ‘about 7,000’ foreigners, dual nationals who are ready to leave Gaza
Additionally, there is a separate list of individuals working for different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who hold passports from a wide range of countries, such as Spain, Italy, the Philippines, Haiti, Germany, the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Austria, Mexico, France, Kenya, Nigeria, Australia, South Africa, Armenia, Uganda, Ghana, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Australia.
In a significant development, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday evening that safe passage for wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals has commenced, thanks to what he described as “concerted American leadership.” This move comes in the midst of an intense conflict in the region, with Gaza’s borders having been closed since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
President Biden disclosed that American citizens were among the first group of individuals to exit Gaza through the Rafah crossing. He revealed that this initial group numbered “probably more than 1,000,” emphasizing that the evacuation process would continue over the coming days. The President underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe and expeditious departure of American citizens from the conflict zone.
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UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also weighed in on the situation, expressing the significance of the first departures for the estimated 200 Britons in Gaza. In a statement, Cleverly noted that this represented “a hugely important first step.” He further highlighted the cooperation between British authorities, Egyptian officials, and their Israeli counterparts to ensure that the Rafah crossing remains open, enabling all British nationals to reach safety in the days to come.
The decision to allow the safe exit of foreign nationals and injured Palestinians via the Rafah crossing is seen as a humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis. It demonstrates a collaborative effort between nations to alleviate the dire situation faced by those affected by the recent hostilities.
The conflict in the region has been ongoing for more than three weeks, with Israel conducting extensive airstrikes and recently sending in ground forces in response to an unprecedented cross-border assault by Hamas gunmen. This attack resulted in the loss of 1,400 lives and the taking of 240 individuals as hostages.
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Gaza’s health ministry has reported that over 8,700 people have lost their lives in the territory since the conflict began. The United Nations has also raised concerns about the dangerously low supplies of essential items, including food, water, fuel, and medicine, due to the siege imposed by Israel. This dire humanitarian situation has further underscored the urgency of the evacuation efforts and the need for international cooperation to bring relief to those affected by the conflict.
This move comes as efforts are being made to allow foreign nationals and those with dual citizenship to leave Gaza amid the ongoing crisis and security threats in the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Muslim nations to halt their exports of oil and food to Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticized the West, attributing responsibility for the ongoing crisis in Gaza to them. He claims that the West has damaged its global reputation and failed to justify Israel’s actions in the eyes of the public.
Khamenei highlighted the support and solidarity from people worldwide, citing protests in various countries, including the UK, France, Italy, and the US, where citizens have rallied against Israel and the United States. He stated that these nations have lost credibility and are unable to justify the attacks in Gaza.
Additionally, Khamenei urged Muslim countries to halt exports of oil and food to Israel as a means to end the airstrikes on Gaza, as reported by Iranian state media. He emphasized the role of not just Israel but also the US, France, and the UK in opposing the people of Gaza, urging Muslim nations to take action to stop the violence.
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