As the Rafah border crossing to Egypt opened to hundreds of foreign passport holders and the wounded in Gaza, they finally had an opportunity to leave the war-torn territory. This marked the first time since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that this crossing was available to them. Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry released a list of approved foreign passport holders eligible to leave via the Rafah crossing. While at least five NGO workers confirmed as Americans were listed to cross on Wednesday, it remained uncertain how many of the 400 American citizens stuck in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department, would be able to cross in the coming days. One American trapped in Gaza expressed her skepticism about crossing yet.
On November 1, hundreds of people lined up to enter the customs area at the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, providing foreigners the opportunity to leave the war-torn Gaza for the first time since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October. Susan Beseiso, a resident of Utah, expressed her disappointment, stating, “They started letting foreigners out today but it’s not Americans because I guess we’re not as important as we thought.” Beseiso also criticized the lack of communication from the American Embassy and the State Department, claiming that they had not taken any action to ensure their safe evacuation. She further alleged that they were being used as human shields by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Egypt, and America.
Footage showed the opening of the gate at the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday morning, allowing people to cross into Egypt for the first time since the war began. While aid convoys had previously passed between Egypt and Gaza, this was the first time individuals were allowed through the Rafah crossing. It was expected that 545 foreigners and dual nationals and dozens of sick and wounded individuals would leave Gaza. Diplomatic sources confirmed that Qatar had mediated an agreement between Egypt, Israel, Hamas, and the U.S. to allow these limited evacuations. Upon entering the terminal area, individuals had to wait in long lines at crossing booths for passport and document checks.
The first ambulances carrying wounded Palestinians from war-torn Gaza entered Egypt via the Rafah crossing on Wednesday. At least 81 people were allowed to travel in ambulances from Rafah to Arish for medical treatment. The Rafah border crossing was hit during Israeli air raids after the Hamas attacks, causing devastation in the area. Israeli authorities claim that the attacks left 1,400 dead, mostly civilians, and an additional 240 people were taken hostage. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 15,000 were wounded in retaliatory Israeli strikes, resulting in the death of more than 8,500 individuals, two-thirds of whom were women and children.
In addition to the ongoing turmoil, there was an internet blackout in the Gaza Strip. Netblocks, an internet watchdog, and major Palestinian operator Paltel reported that the entire Gaza Strip experienced this blackout. This blackout occurred after a previous 48-hour communications blackout when Israel announced an expansion of its ground operation. Telecommunications had been restored on Monday but faced another disruption with this blackout.
