According to White House officials, more than 300 Americans, their families, and some permanent U.S. residents have fled from Gaza amidst the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
The White House previously shared that around 500 to 600 Americans were inside Gaza when the war broke out last month. Now, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer says they are working on fleeing the region.
Finer shared the update on Sunday while speaking with CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
According to the national security adviser, a “number of Americans” are still in Gaza, facing the ongoing attack from Israel as it hunts down Hamas.
The country’s ability to remove the 300 Americans out of Gaza was a result of “pretty intensive negotiations,” Finer said.
“This is obviously a major priority, and one that we’re going to continue to work out until every American who wants to leave is able to do so,” Finer said Sunday.
As of last Thursday, The Washington Post reported that 400 Americans were still in Gaza and wanted to leave. It is unclear how many remained as of Sunday.
Finer also said that the United States is currently working to release the hostages being held by Hamas but that it would take a pause in fighting to do so.
Israeli officials would consider a pause in fighting for a hostage release, Finer shared. However, no such agreement has been made yet.
“Being able to move hostages around the battlefield in a way that is safe, get them to a gate leading outside of Gaza would take time,” Finer said.