The U.S. State Department indicated today, Saturday, that "the U.S. government encourages its citizens in Gaza to move south toward the Rafah crossing with Egypt, to be prepared for its possible reopening amid the humanitarian crisis in the coastal enclave following the Hamas attack in Israel, which responded by bombing the territory."
A spokesman for the State Department stated: "We have informed American citizens in Gaza we are in contact with that if they feel the situation is safe, they may want to approach the border crossing."
He added: "Notice may come very shortly if the crossing opens, and it may only be open for a limited time."
Earlier, a senior U.S. State Department official pointed out today, Saturday, that "the United States is working with Egypt, Israel, and Qatar to open the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt this afternoon."
The official said: "We are trying to facilitate access, aiming for it to be open from 12 to 5 today. The Egyptians, Israelis, and Qataris are working with us on this."
