Hundreds of Americans appeared on a list of passport holders approved to leave the territory, as President Biden called for a “pause” in hostilities to allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Hundreds of Americans and other foreign passport holders were poised to leave the Gaza Strip Thursday, continuing the first major departure of civilians from the territory since the war between Israel and the militant Hamas began earlier this month.
A new list of passport holders approved to depart — all of them foreign citizens or dual national Palestinians — was issued by the border authority overnight. It included around 400 Americans. It was unclear how many would be able to cross Thursday.
The State Department has been in contact with around 400 Americans who have expressed a desire to leave, department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday. With their family members, the total number is around 1,000, Miller said.
