The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was reopened on Monday (November 6) to allow the evacuation of foreigners, dual nationals, and wounded Palestinians in need of extensive medical treatment.
The Hamas-run government of Gaza and Egyptian officials confirmed the news after the crossing was closed over the weekend amid a dispute over the passage of ambulances.
Sources within the Hamas government told Agence France Presse the crossing was reopened after an agreement with Israel in a mediation by Egypt that would allow the evacuation of 30 wounded people.
Who Got Out of Gaza
An Egyptian border official also told reporters that six ambulances arrived at the Egyptian side of the crossing on Monday, carrying wounded Palestinians to be transported to hospitals. Also crossing into Egypt was this week's first group of dual nationals.
The White House announced on Sunday (November 5) that around 300 people, including Americans, were evacuated from Gaza via Rafah, while around 100 British nationals were also able to leave the strip and into Egypt.
Ambulances Hit by Israeli Airstrikes
The two-day closure of Rafah came after deadly Israeli strikes hit ambulances headed for the border, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Hamas-run health ministry.
Egyptian Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar also said Cairo was "shocked" that ambulances were targeted while carrying wounded individuals.
Israel's military said that the targeted ambulances were allegedly used by a "Hamas terrorist cell."
The Hamas-run Gazan health ministry said on Monday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes had surpassed the 10,000 mark, although this has not been independently verified.
