In a significant development since the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, a group of over 300 foreign nationals and individuals with dual citizenship successfully entered Egypt from Gaza on Wednesday. This marked the first instance of people with foreign passports being able to leave the war-torn region through the Rafah border crossing.

According to reports from the AFP and Reuters news agencies, citing Egyptian officials, the group arrived in Egypt by early evening on Wednesday. Their departure from Gaza was made possible through a mediation deal brokered by Qatar, in coordination with the United States, between Egypt, Israel, and Hamas.

US President Joe Biden took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce that American citizens would be among those leaving Gaza on Wednesday. He further added that more departures are expected to occur in the following days, indicating the ongoing progress of the arrangement.

Egyptian authorities have estimated that at least 500 individuals holding foreign passports will cross into Egypt on Wednesday. The exact number of injured Palestinians transported to Egypt earlier remains unclear, as conflicting reports arise. While Egypt's Health Ministry mentioned 16 injured individuals being transferred, other Egyptian officials informed AFP that 76 wounded individuals had successfully left Gaza through the border crossing.

Since the Rafah border crossing reopened on Tuesday following the truce agreement, these developments mark a significant milestone in providing relief and opportunities for foreign nationals and Palestinians alike to seek medical treatment or reunite with their families outside of the embattled region.

The truce agreement, which has brought about a temporary cessation of hostilities, has allowed for the facilitation of these departures and transportation of injured Palestinians. As the situation stabilizes, it is hoped that more individuals with foreign passports and those in need of urgent medical attention will have the opportunity to leave Gaza in the coming days.

As the international community continues to closely monitor the situation in the region, efforts to rebuild and provide assistance to those affected by the conflict are expected to gain momentum. The departure of foreign nationals and injured Palestinians from Gaza serves as a positive step forward, offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of the devastating aftermath of the recent clashes.