Hamas official says no Gaza evacuations into Egypt

Palestinian dual nationals and foreigners wait to cross the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip, on November 7, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 09 November 2023
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Hamas official says no Gaza evacuations into Egypt

GAZA STRIP: No wounded Palestinians or dual nationals were evacuated Wednesday from the Gaza Strip to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, a Palestinian official said.

The crossing point remained closed due to Israel’s refusal to approve the list of wounded who were to be evacuated, a Hamas official told AFP.

The war started over a month ago when Hamas militants crossed into Israel and killed about 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and seized 239 hostages, according to Israeli officials,

Aiming to destroy Hamas, Israel retaliated with a relentless bombardment and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip that, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian territory’s health ministry, has killed more than 10,500 people, also mostly civilians.

The Rafah terminal — which connects the bombarded Gaza Strip to Egypt — reopened on November 1 to allow the evacuation of foreigners and dual nationals stranded in the small Palestinian territory.

There was then a two-day closure after deadly Israeli strikes hit ambulances headed for the border, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel’s military said it had targeted an ambulance used by a “Hamas terrorist cell.”

An AFP journalist at the Rafah crossing point Wednesday saw a large crowd of people hoping to cross into Egypt during the day.

Mazen Danaf, who holds a German passport, told AFP that the situation in Gaza is “horrible.”

“There is no electricity, no water, no fuel, the hospitals are crowded,” he said.

Egypt has said it would help evacuate around 7,000 foreigners through the crossing.


US envoy to UN discusses Jordan’s humanitarian aid for Gaza

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US envoy to UN discusses Jordan’s humanitarian aid for Gaza

  • Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, along with UN and US delegation, inaugurated new JHCS logistics operations center
  • US Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz’s visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support Gaza’s humanitarian operations in the coming period

LONDON: Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, chairman of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, met with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz to discuss Jordan’s aid efforts for the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, attended by representatives from UN agencies in Jordan and a delegation from the US Embassy in Amman, Prince Rashid emphasized Jordan’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian efforts in support of Gaza through international partnerships.

The meeting also discussed ways to improve the Jordanian relief corridor and to eliminate all obstacles, ensuring efficient delivery of aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.

Prince Rashid, along with the UN and US delegation, inaugurated the new JHCO logistics operations center.

Waltz highlighted the US partnership with Jordan, recognizing its role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. He mentioned that US assistance includes tents, blankets, medical supplies, food, and flour, according to the Petra news agency.

Waltz emphasized that the ceasefire and the implementation of the agreement, along with the release of hostages, are vital for Gaza’s reconstruction, enhanced security, and expanded humanitarian aid efforts.

He said his visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support humanitarian operations in the coming period, Petra reported.