Foreigners and Wounded Palestinians Finally Allowed to Leave Besieged Gaza

After weeks of intensive negotiations, a breakthrough was reached allowing an initial group of foreign nationals, including US citizens, to depart Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Qatar played a key role in brokering the deal between Israel, Egypt, and Hamas. The negotiations were immensely complicated, involving Hamas' control of Gaza, Israel's blockade and bombing, and Egyptian security concerns. The agreement is seen as a critical first step in getting thousands of foreign nationals out of the war-torn strip, with optimism that hundreds more will be able to depart in the coming days.