Egypt, US and Israel discuss evacuation of foreign citizens from Gaza

10/13/2023 08:27

Egypt's Ahram Online newspaper on October 12 quoted an Axios report saying that Egypt, the US and Israel are discussing the possibility of establishing a safe corridor for the evacuation of foreign citizens from the Gaza Strip.

Mourners mourn relatives killed in Israeli airstrikes at the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, October 9, 2023

According to Axios, more than 500 Americans and citizens of other countries, including United Nations (UN) staff, NGO workers and journalists, are currently stranded in the Gaza Strip because the border crossings between Gaza and Israel and Egypt are closed.

Israel and Egypt have tentatively agreed in principle to create a safe corridor from Gaza for U.S. citizens and foreigners, the report said, citing U.S. and Israeli officials. However, both sides stressed that this would be extremely complicated, as it would require some form of ceasefire. Israel declared a “state of war” on October 7 and has been relentlessly attacking the Gaza Strip after the Islamist movement Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli cities.

Meanwhile, Gaza's only power plant has stopped working after Israel cut off supplies of electricity and goods, including medicine, food, fuel and water.

Palestinian health officials say Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed about 1,200 people, while about 1,200 Israelis have died in the conflict.

On October 12, Egypt called on the international community to be ready to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

On October 10, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby affirmed that the US supports the safe evacuation of civilians. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of minimizing civilian casualties in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Biden made it clear that Israel should adhere to the rules of war in its actions in Gaza.

Source