State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller answers questions during a news briefing at the State Department on July 18, 2023, in Washington. | Nathan Howard/APSome of the U.S. citizens who have been trapped in Gaza since the Hamas’ attack on Israel last month have made it into Egypt while others are awaiting instruction from the Biden administration on how to leave Gaza, the State Department said on Wednesday.
U.S. citizens still awaiting passage will be given specific instructions on ways to leave Gaza over the next 72 hours. The State Department estimates roughly 400 American citizens remain in Gaza. Citing operational security concerns, Miller declined to say how many Americans have crossed into Egypt.
“We are going to give them specific instructions over the next few days about where to go, when to go, and how they can get out,” Miller said. “The U.S. Embassy in Cairo is standing by to provide assistance to U.S. citizens as they enter Egypt,” he added. headtopics.com
Miller advised the U.S. citizens who are seeking to depart to regularly check their email over the next few days. However, there have been rolling communication“The situation remains extremely fluid, but this has been an important breakthrough and we will keep working on it to ensure all of the U.S. citizens who wish to depart safely from Gaza can do so,” he said.
A spokesperson for State did not immediately return a request for comment on what the latest travel options entail after citizens depart Gaza. The Biden administration has offered various ways for Americans to leave Israel, including by land, air and sea. But for those in Gaza, the processbecause of Egypt’s reluctance to open the Rafah crossing, and the ongoing fighting between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces. Miller separately noted on Monday those ongoing challenges include Hamas’ unwillingness to let foreign nationals depart until a series of demands are met. headtopics.com