Hamas repeatedly provided Israel, the United States and Egypt with dubious evacuation lists of injured Palestinians who were allowed to cross the border along with dual nationals and foreigners. “After checking, it turned out that many of them were Hamas fighters,” an American official revealed to The New York Times.
Shortly after October 7, people with dual nationality and several foreigners repeatedly stood in front of a closed border crossing at Rafah. For weeks no progress was made in the case. U.S. officials said only that Hamas was preventing the departure of foreign nationals and that the terror group was making unreasonable demands. But now more details are coming out.
LOOK. Why is the border opening in Egypt? Robin Ramaekers explains
A senior Biden administration official anonymously told The New York Times that about a third of the wounded Palestinians on the first submitted list turned out to be Hamas fighters, which was unacceptable to Egypt, the US and Israel. The delays continued for some time because Hamas continued to offer lists, which after careful checking showed that they contained fighters.
The prospect of Hamas fighters leaving Gaza was particularly alarming for Egypt, which remains deeply concerned about the possibility of terrorists entering the country.
Hamas eventually gave in after negotiations mediated by Qatari diplomats. Ultimately, the parties agreed to draw up an evacuation list that included only civilians.
Since Wednesday, hundreds of people with foreign passports and Palestinians with dual nationality have been able to leave the Gaza Strip. On Thursday morning, Egypt said it would assist in the evacuation of “approximately 7,000” foreigners and dual nationals from the Gaza Strip.
Belgians
About twenty Belgians and rights holders have already been evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. This was evident from an update from the office of Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on Thursday evening.
A Belgian diplomatic team is on site to receive the evacuated nationals. A baby has been taken to hospital.
A list of 178 Belgian nationals present in Gaza, checked by State Security and the Immigration Office, has been sent to local authorities. However, this number may still change.
Flemish doctor can leave Gaza, but has to leave colleagues and friends behind: “I should be happy, but I’m not” (+)
Why Gaza’s donkeys are crucial to the war: “People continue to care for the animals despite the enormous suffering” (+)
▶ Listen: “It remains to be seen whether Israel will take the big risk to enter Gaza City” Foreign journalist Robin Ramaekers answers the most important questions.
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