Foreigners, injured granted passage to escape war-torn Gaza via Rafah crossing. Watch
Palestinians with dual citizenship wait outside the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened for the first time since the October 7 Hamas attacks, allowing hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded peopleto exit the war-torn territory on Wednesday (Nov 1).
The Rafah crossing had remained closed for weeks, with convoys of essential aid supplies being the primary items allowed to pass between Egypt and Gaza.
Notably, people had been barred from crossing during this time, contributing to the escalating humanitarian challenges.
Watch the video here:
Ambulances cross the Rafah border
As the border crossing was reopened, queues formed early on Wednesday (Nov 1) at the terminal.
Approximately 545 foreigners and dual nationals, along with around 90 individuals who were sick or wounded, were expected to make their way through the border.
As per AFP reports, first ambulances carrying wounded Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing.
Live footage broadcast on television networks associated with Egyptian intelligence showed ambulances arriving on the Egyptian side of the Rafah terminal.
Impact of Israeli air raids
The reopening of the Rafah crossing came at a time when the region had already witnessed significant challenges.
The terminal area had been affected by Israeli air raids following the Hamas attacks on October 7. Israeli authorities reported that these attacks had resulted in 1,400 casualties, with the majority being civilians.
Additionally, the situation was complicated by the hostage-taking of 240 people.
Toll of the war
The retaliatory Israeli strikes after the October 7 Hamas attack hasleft more than 15,000 individuals wounded, according to reports.
The Hamas-run health ministry further reported that over 8,500 lives had been lost, with a significant proportion being women and children.
The Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Egypt under a 2007 agreement with Israel, serves as the primary exit point for Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians.
Leaving Gaza is challenging, and Egypt has kept the crossing closed during previous Israeli military operations. Fears of permanent resettlement in Sinai and economic pressures complicate the situation.
(With inputs from agencies)