US trying hard to get its citizens out of War struck Gaza
While the US administration works to negotiate their release and safe passage, hundreds of Americans who have been imprisoned by the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip are trying to get out of the conflict-torn region.
In order to expedite the evacuation of its citizens from Gaza, where Israel is getting ready to step up its ground offensive after Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in a rocket attack on October 7, including at least 33 Americans, the US has been collaborating with a number of parties, including Israel, Egypt, the UN, and Qatar.
Hamas blocking the only route for US
The Rafah crossing into Egypt is the only route out of Gaza for US forces, but Hamas has been refusing to assist the US attempts, holding roughly 200 hostages. A senior defense official said on Monday that the US has military forces in the region ready to support “hostage recovery efforts in Gaza, as well as working with all relevant stakeholders for the safe evacuation of American citizens and others of interest to the United States from Gaza.”
The State Department, the person continued, has been spearheading a concerted effort to collaborate with Israel, Egypt, the UN, and Hamas, among other pertinent parties, to enable the safe passage of those people through Gaza and out via the Rafah crossing.
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US in talks with world leaders to take out the Americans stuck in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken keeps in close contact with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, who acts as a vital go-between in US negotiations with Hamas. Remarkably, Hamas’ top leadership has resided in Qatar for almost ten years.
“Our work to ensure the safety of American citizens in Gaza continues to be our highest priority,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday. “We will continue to work at the highest levels to secure the release of every hostage held by Hamas, and the safe passage of those American citizens in Gaza who want to leave.”
Miller stated that two US citizens were set free on October 20 as a result of Qatar’s assistance, but Hamas has not yet consented to release any more individuals. He added that American individuals wishing to leave Gaza are unable to do so since Hamas still does not operate their side of the Rafah entrance.
A precise estimate of the number of US citizens in Gaza who want to escape was not provided by the State Department due to safety and security concerns as well as the dynamic nature of the situation. According to the government, American citizens who need help departing Gaza are actively being contacted.
In addition, since major airlines ceased operations in Israel at the beginning of the conflict, the US has organized a number of charter flights out of the country for Americans who are stuck there without access to commercial planes.
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