Israel Says Hamas Prevents U.S. Citizens from Leaving Gaza

Mark Regev, an advisor to Israel’s Prime Minister, said that Americans in Gaza can’t leave due to Hamas restrictions.

In an interview with CNN International, he stated that the only way out is through the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

All other exits through Israel are now war zones and are not accessible.

According to Regev, around 500 to 600 Americans are currently in Gaza. The topic of their safe exit had been discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken weeks ago.

Regev emphasized that Israel is open to helping these Americans leave Gaza as soon as possible.

International calls for creating safe pathways, known as humanitarian corridors, are growing.

Countries like Brazil are urging for these safe routes. Brazil had even proposed a resolution in the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, the U.S. vetoed Brazil’s proposal.

This week, the United States has submitted a new proposal for consideration by the Security Council.

While it is under review, no date for a vote has been set yet. The new proposal aims to address the safe exit of civilians and other humanitarian concerns.

Background

The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups, most notably Hamas.

This territory along the Mediterranean coast is home to about two million Palestinians.

Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by many countries, including the U.S., has governed the area since 2007.

Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control, severely limiting the movement of goods and people.

The Rafah crossing into Egypt offers one of the few exits out of Gaza. However, Egypt also restricts the movement through this crossing for security reasons.

The situation has led to international calls for safe exit routes for civilians, especially during times of conflict.

These calls often take the form of proposed resolutions at the UN, but finding consensus can be challenging, as seen in the U.S. veto of Brazil’s proposal.

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