Biden Announces Safe Passage for Certain U.S. Citizens Departing Gaza to Egypt Today

Seventy-six injured Palestinians and 335 foreign nationals or dual-citizens were reportedly granted passage from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip to Egypt on Wednesday. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that some American citizens would also leave war-torn Gaza on the same day, facilitated by the reopening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt. In a social media post on [Platform], President Biden expressed, “Today, thanks to American leadership, we secured safe passage for wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals to exit Gaza. We expect American citizens to depart today, with more expected to leave in the coming days.”

Earlier in the day, hundreds of residents and foreign individuals affected by Israeli airstrikes managed to escape Gaza for Egypt in the first evacuation efforts since the conflict erupted following a significant attack by Hamas on October 7. Families hurriedly crossed through the heavily fortified border en route to Egypt. According to reports by AFP, Egypt admitted 335 foreign nationals or dual citizens along with 76 individuals who were severely wounded or unwell.

It’s important to note that the ongoing conflict has led to a significant toll, with more than 8,700 Palestinian casualties, according to the Gaza-based health ministry run by Hamas. In the occupied West Bank, 130 Palestinians have lost their lives due to violence and Israeli military operations. In Israel, over 1,400 individuals have been killed, with the majority of fatalities occurring during the initial attack on October 7.