First Injured Palestinians Cross Gaza Border into Egypt Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Injured Palestinians from Gaza are now crossing the border into Egypt individually, according to an Egyptian official who spoke to CNN. This marks the first approved exodus from the besieged enclave in several weeks. On Wednesday, it was anticipated that a total of 81 severely injured Palestinians would enter Egypt. A representative from Egypt's Ministry of Health confirmed to CNN that they were arriving on a one by one basis.

On Wednesday morning, a large number of foreign nationals were also waiting at the Gaza's Rafah border crossing. They were hopeful to enter Egypt after a deal was said to have been negotiated to facilitate their exit.

According to three sources familiar with the situation, it is anticipated that around 500 foreigners will be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. This development would be a crucial turning point after several weeks of widespread violence in the densely populated area, resulting in numerous casualties and giving rise to a severe humanitarian crisis.

The Palestinians who have been injured are the first individuals, who are not hostages, to be permitted to leave the enclave since Israel's recent conflict with Hamas commenced three weeks ago.

According to insiders knowledgeable about the negotiations, their departure is a result of an agreement facilitated by Qatar among Israel, Hamas, and Egypt, in collaboration with the United States. This agreement aims to enable the release of foreign nationals and severely injured civilians from Gaza.

According to the source, the agreement is independent of any ongoing hostage negotiations.

A Western official, while confirming that Americans were not included in the initial group departing on Wednesday, stated that the exact day they would be permitted to leave remains unclear.

US citizens are anticipated to commence their departure from Gaza as early as Thursday, according to internal correspondences within the US government acquired by CNN. At the Gaza side of the crossing, numerous ambulances were captured in the footage, while images showcased families eagerly awaiting at the border with their suitcases.

According to an Egyptian border official, several officials from foreign consulates are present on the Egyptian side of the crossing. There is no specified timeframe for when they will commence their movement. However, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly mentioned on Wednesday that the Rafah crossing is expected to open today for an initial group of foreign nationals.

Cleverly stated on social media that British teams are prepared to aid British nationals once they are able to depart. According to CNN, Hisham Adwan, a Palestinian border official, reported that a total of 500 individuals were currently awaiting passage.

A field hospital being built for injured Palestinians at the closest border gate, Sheikh Zuweid residential area in Rafah, Egypt on October 31, 2023.

80 Egyptian ambulances arrived at Gaza's Rafah border crossing on Wednesday morning to collect the injured Palestinian patients, according to an Egyptian border official speaking to CNN.

CNN had previously announced that 81 Palestinians from Gaza, who were seriously injured, would be permitted to travel to Egypt for medical treatment.

According to Dr. Mohammed Abu Silmiyeh, the director of Al Shifa Hospital, these 81 patients were receiving treatment in various hospitals throughout Gaza. Many of them required surgical intervention that is currently unavailable in the region. After being discharged from the Gaza hospitals, they will continue their treatment in a field hospital located in Sheikh Zuweid city, Egypt.

Over two million individuals, including a significant number of children, find themselves trapped within the conflict-ridden strip following a fatal terror attack carried out by Hamas on October 7. As a result, Israel has closed its borders with Gaza and initiated an aerial campaign aimed at the militant group governing the enclave. Additionally, this includes numerous foreign and dual nationals who are unable to leave the area.

The situation in Gaza has become even more perilous for civilians and foreign nationals as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified their ground operations on Friday. There has been a significant rise in bombardments and fighting, posing a greater risk to those who are trapped in Gaza. For weeks, negotiators have been tirelessly working to evacuate foreign nationals and address Egypt's concerns regarding the influx of refugees through the Rafah crossing in southwestern Gaza.

The Rafah crossing, situated in the northern Sinai region of Egypt, serves as the exclusive border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. It is positioned along an 8-mile (12.8-kilometer) barrier that separates Gaza from the surrounding Sinai desert. Since the closure of both border crossings between Gaza and Israel following the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, Rafah remains the sole gateway for the territory to connect with the rest of the world.

But the crossing has been closed except for a few occasions when it opened to allow a limited amount of aid into Gaza.

This is a developing story and is being updated.

CNNs Alex Hardie, Ibrahim Dahman, Melissa Bell and Chris Liakos contributed reporting.