An American mother tells of her journey of taking her two children to flee Gaza 6
The Egyptian government on November 1 announced the opening of the Rafah border gate for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, allowing foreign passport holders to leave the war zone.
The US State Department sent a notice to citizens stranded in the Gaza Strip, saying they and their family members will be notified of a specific departure date, to ensure orderly travel.
Checking the list of Americans allowed to pass through the Rafah border gate, Laila Bseisso, an American citizen of Palestinian descent, felt relieved when she read her name, because after many days of waiting, she could finally leave the land where
But Laila’s joy quickly gave way to panic when she didn’t see her two children’s names on the list.
Laila then decided to bring her three children and some relatives to the Rafah border gate, hoping they would all be able to leave Gaza into Egypt, then to the United States.
She and her children had to wait at the border with worries about the uncertain future.
Location of Rafah border gate on the Egypt – Gaza Strip border.
`We have the feeling that the Israelis, Egyptians and Americans are using us as a human shield in some way,` said Susan Bseisso, Laila’s cousin, who was denied entry by the Egyptian side.
Laila called the US embassy in Cairo many times, trying to clarify whether her two children, who did not yet have US passports, would be allowed to evacuate with her.
`They said ‘It’s up to you whether you want to wait or not,’` Laila said.
After Egypt opened its borders, at least 320 foreign passport holders entered the country through the Rafah border gate, including 79 US passport holders.
The three children of Laila Bseisso, a Palestinian-American, wait to enter the country at the Rafah border gate.
Laila and her four children finally passed the border gate.
Foreign governments say passport holders from 44 countries, as well as 28 agencies, including United Nations agencies, are living in the Gaza Strip.
The strip of land is suffering from food, water and electricity shortages following Israel’s comprehensive blockade.
