Photos: Hundreds of Palestinians crossed into Egypt as thousands more try to flee

  • After Hamas launched an attack on Israel, the country's military began bombing Gaza, killing thousands.

  • The lack of basic resources for Palestinian civilians has since become a major concern worldwide.

  • Foreign nationals and seriously injured Palestinians have now been allowed to cross into Egypt.

This week, some Palestinian refugees and foreign nationals were allowed to cross into Egypt as Israel continues its bombing campaign in Gaza.

Palestinian people and foreign aid workers wait to cross the border into Egypt.
Palestinian people and foreign aid workers wait to cross the border into Egypt.Fatima Shbair

Among them are 335 foreign passport-holders, most of whom are Palestinian dual nationals, per The Associated Press.

Palestinian people waiting to enter Egypt.
Palestinian people waiting to enter Egypt.Fatima Shbair

Seventy-six critically injured patients were also transported over the border en route to Egyptian hospitals, according to the AP.

Palestinian people waiting to cross into Egypt.
Palestinian people waiting to cross into Egypt.Fatima Shbair

But for many, the afternoon dashed hopes — people who risked their lives to travel to the border were stranded when officials stopped calling names of people allowed in.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt.
Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt.Fatima Shbair

"No one understands how you get on this list or why you're not on this list," businessman Hammam al-Yazji told the AP.

Palestinians cross to the Egyptian side of the border.
Palestinians cross to the Egyptian side of the border.Hatem Ali

Since its start, the Israel-Hamas war has resulted in the deaths of 8,525 Palestinians, 67% of whom are women and children, per the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people have also been displaced, per OCHA.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt.
Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt.Fatima Shbair

The Defense of Children in Palestine said over 40% of Palestinians killed in the conflict are children, with the minor death toll at 3,457. Over 1,000 children are missing, meaning that count could be much higher, per the DCP.

Palestinians cross to the Egyptian side of the border.
Palestinians cross to the Egyptian side of the border.Hatem Ali

This week, Israeli airstrikes targeted a refugee camp in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, by Palestinian estimates.

Palestinians arrive at Rafah,  the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Palestinians arrive at Rafah, the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.Fatima Shbair

In response to concerns about civilian lives, an IDF spokesperson told Insider it urged the Palestinian population — many of whom have nowhere to go, since surrounding countries refuse to take them in — to move south for their "safety."

Egyptian military personnel stand alert at the Rafah border.
Egyptian military personnel stand alert at the Rafah border.Mohammed Asad

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