GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip. Dozens of foreign passport holders who have been trapped in Gaza are now able to leave the region as the Rafah crossing, leading to Egypt, is open for the first time since the devastating Hamas attack that occurred on October 7.
Until now, despite the passage of urgently needed aid between Egypt and Gaza, people were not permitted to cross. However, the situation is changing as some 400 foreigners and dual nationals are expected to depart Gaza today. Additionally, on the Egyptian side of the border, ambulances are ready to transport approximately 90 sick and wounded individuals who are also being granted the opportunity to leave.
Reports indicate that Egypt is in the process of constructing a field hospital along the border, indicating the seriousness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The decision to reopen the Rafah crossing was brokered through mediation by Qatar, involving negotiations between Egypt, Israel, the Hamas terror group (which controls Gaza), and the United States. This marks a significant development in efforts to address the crisis in Gaza.
The conflict erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack, which saw around 2,500 militants crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip via land, air, and sea. This act resulted in the death of approximately 1,400 people and the capture of 200-250 hostages of various ages. The vast majority of those killed in the border communities were civilians, including infants, children, and the elderly. Entire families were tragically affected, and over 260 individuals lost their lives during an outdoor festival, many of them subjected to horrifying acts of violence by the terrorists.
Israel has asserted that its offensive in Gaza is aimed at dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure and has vowed to eliminate the entire terror group that governs the Strip. The operation targets areas where Hamas operates while attempting to minimize civilian casualties.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
