American citizens said they were stranded in Gaza despite a tentative deal with Egypt, the US and Israel that allowed them to cross into Egypt Saturday, according to reports.
The diplomatic deal brokered among the three countries allowed more than 500 Americans stuck in the Gaza Strip to leave the war-ravaged enclave through the Rafah crossing until 10 a.m. ET but dozens of US citizens said they were still trapped.
As the deadline loomed, it still wasn’t clear whether Hamas would allow the movement of U.S. citizens or other foreigners to the Egyptian border crossing, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“This is absolutely nerve-racking,” said Lena Beseiso, 57, who was waiting on the Gaza side of the border with her husband, two of her daughters and a 10-year-old grandson, in a text message seen by the New York Times. “I’m so worried now more than ever before.”
It’s unclear why the border was closed, with some reports saying Egypt would not allow US passport holders to cross unless Israel and the US allowed truckloads of aid which are massed at Rafah to enter the Gaza Strip, according to social media posts.
The Israeli military said Hamas militants were hiding in tunnels under houses and civilian buildings in Gaza City and its warplanes were conducting strikes across the Palestinian enclave.
Hamas’ attack on Israel, which began last week, has killed more than 1,300 people, including at least 27 Americans. The death toll in Gaza has risen to 2,215 civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.