Foreigners and Wounded Trapped in Gaza as Communications Cut

Gaza experienced another communications blackout as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants, disrupting aid agencies' work in an already dire situation. Dozens of foreign passport holders gathered at a border crossing, preparing to leave the besieged Palestinian enclave. While some foreigners and wounded individuals were permitted to exit, the rest of Gaza's 2.3 million people found themselves cut off from the world once again. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides, with over 8,500 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis killed. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with shortages of basic supplies and a lack of access to medical care.