“The green light” to allow American citizens to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing was given today by Israel and Egypt, a US official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

According to the report, the two countries, which are US allies, agreed to keep this unique border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip open from 12:00 today until 17:00 (local and Greek time), the official said. accompanying the head of American diplomacy on his tour of Middle Eastern countries.

“We are trying to facilitate access to it (the passage), to open from 12 to 5 today. Egypt, Israel and Qatar are working with us on this matter,” he added.

The official said Washington has been in contact with American Palestinians in Gaza and some have expressed a desire to leave through Rafah. But he clarified that it is not clear whether the crossing is open at the moment and it is also unknown whether Hamas will allow people to get there.