Several foreign nationals and many seriously injured Palestinians have been permitted to leave Gaza for the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. This comes after the release of four hostages by Hamas and the rescue of an Israeli soldier. While the border crossing opened, Israeli forces continued to advance deeper into Gaza and airstrikes hit a refugee camp for a second time. Communications and internet services were gradually being restored after the second major blackout in five days. Humanitarian aid agencies have expressed concern about the blackouts disrupting their work in an already dire situation in Gaza. The death toll in the war has now reached 8,805 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis, with an additional 130 Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank. Currently, five hostages have been freed, offering some hope to the families of the more than 200 still held captive by Hamas. The British and US governments have confirmed that their citizens trapped in Gaza have been allowed to cross into Egypt. The United Nations Secretary-General has condemned the violence in Gaza and called for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas. Additionally, several countries, including Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia, have severed diplomatic ties or recalled their ambassadors from Israel in protest of the military operation in Gaza.
Gaza Crisis Update: Numerous Foreign Citizens and Injured Individuals Permitted to Leave
