More than 800 foreigners passed through the Rafah crossing into Egypt this Sunday (12), according to an Egyptian border official told a journalist from CNN marking the highest number passing through the crossing in a single day since evacuations from the Gaza Strip began.
It is the first evacuation of foreigners since Thursday (9), when more than 300 left Gaza through the crossing, according to a border official.
Located in northern Sinai, Egypt, the Rafah crossing is the only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. It falls along a 12.8-kilometer fence that separates Gaza from the Sinai desert.
As the only route into and out of Gaza that is not closed due to Israel’s siege, Rafah has played a key role in efforts to bring aid in and evacuate people from the enclave.
Repatriated Brazilians
Brazilians authorized to leave the Gaza Strip managed to cross the border with Egypt and leave the Palestinian territory this Sunday morning (12), according to Itamaraty.
Of the 34 people who asked the Brazilian government to be repatriated – 24 Brazilians and 10 close Palestinian family members –, who were granted authorization to leave Gaza in a list published last Thursday (9), 32 crossed the Rafah border crossing for the first time since the beginning of the conflict.
According to Itamaraty, two people from the group who were on the original list gave up on repatriation and decided to remain in Gaza. According to the CNN two Brazilians, mother and daughter, decided to stay in the Palestinian territory for personal reasons.
After leaving, the group of Brazilians will travel 55 km overland until reaching Al-Arish airport, in Egypt. It is in this place where an aircraft from the Presidency of the Republic is already waiting for Brazilians, in Cairo, to make the trip back to Brazil.
In addition to humanitarian supplies, the plane is manned with a doctor, nurse and psychologist who will help everyone.
See also: Brazilians who left Gaza record the moment they cross the border with Egypt
Source: CNN Brasil
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