Over 300 Americans have left Gaza in last several days, White House official says

More than 300 Americans and their families have departed Gaza “over the last several days,” White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation, citing intensive negotiations.

Finer cautioned that there are still a “number of Americans” inside Gaza.

“(This is a) major priority and one that we’re going to continue to work at until every American who wants to leave is able to do so," he said.

Approximately 400 American citizens and their family members – about 1,000 people total – were stuck in Gaza and are seeking to leave, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last Tuesday.

Efforts to secure safe passage for foreign nationals in Gaza were stymied by Hamas and a slew of logistical challenges exacerbating a dire humanitarian situation as thousands of foreigners, including hundreds of Americans, remained trapped in the war-torn region.

A breakthrough was finally reached last week to allow foreign passport holders and a group of critically injured civilians to depart through the Rafah border crossing, with the first group departing last Wednesday.