Egyptian media and Reuters say the first group of injured evacuees from Gaza have entered Egypt via the Rafah crossing.

It comes after a deal, mediated by Qatar, was struck between Egypt, Israel and Hamas. It will be run in coordination with the US.

A list of people with foreign passports who can leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing has been agreed between Israel and Egypt, according to Reuters, quoting an unnamed Western official.

Earlier, a convoy of ambulances was seen waiting at the Egyptian side of the border, waiting to enter the Gaza Strip.

The UK’s Foreign Office said the Rafah crossing will open for “controlled and time-limited periods” to let “specific groups” of foreigners and seriously wounded people leave Gaza.

Israel-Gaza latest: First injured evacuees enter Egypt from Gaza through Rafah crossing – reports

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It added it’s therefore likely the departure of British nationals “will take place in stages over the coming days”.

“We have been working at every level of government to ensure the Rafah crossing could open and allow all British nationals to leave Gaza,” the department said in a statement.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says UK teams are ready to assist British nationals in the Gaza Strip as soon as they are able to leave.

UK officials have been sent to the area to provide support, the foreign office added.

Rafah is Gaza’s only gateway to the rest of the world that’s not directly controlled by Israel.

It is under the control of Egypt as part of an agreement with Israel and the European Union.

However, it has never been a normal, fully open border crossing and is tightly controlled by authorities in Cairo.

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Read more:
What is the Rafah border crossing and who controls it?
How far has Israel got into Gaza?

Over the years it has been closed for days, weeks and months at a time. When it does open it’s often intermittent and can suddenly close again.

It has been closed since the start of last month’s conflict between Israel and Hamas.

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