Egypt, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement allowing limited evacuation from the Gaza Strip to Egypt through the Rafah crossing after talks this week, FOX News reported.
Qatari officials mediated the talks on Wednesday morning and reached an agreement allowing foreign passport holders and some seriously injured Gazans to evacuate. A source briefed on the deal also reported that no timeframe had been set for how long the crossing would remain open.
Dozens of foreign passport holders were seen at the crossing Wednesday morning, confirming the deal.
The negotiations began amid the second phase of Israel’s war against Hamas. The Israel Defence Forces have greatly expanded ground operations in Gaza, pushing Hamas militants out of their fortified positions and tunnels. At least 12 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting so far.
The Rafah crossing remained largely closed throughout most of the fighting, starting with Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7. Israel and Egypt then allowed the crossing to open only briefly for a few humanitarian aid convoys heading to Gaza.
Israeli leaders have vowed to completely destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire on Monday.
“Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism… This is a time for war – a war for our common future… Israel will stand against the forces of barbarism until victory. I hope and pray that civilised nations everywhere will back this fight.”
As of Wednesday morning, about 9,900 people have died on both sides in the war, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers as well as 32 Americans.
