Biden reports that a few US citizens are leaving Gaza today

In the midst of an intensifying ground offensive, US President Joe Biden declared on Wednesday that some US citizens may leave Gaza as early as today. He praised US leadership in these efforts.

“Today, thanks to American leadership, we secured safe passage for wounded Palestinians and for foreign nationals to exit Gaza. We expect American citizens to exit today, and we expect to see more depart over the coming days,” Biden said on X. 
“We won't let up working to get Americans out of Gaza," he said.

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday that about 400 American citizens and their families—roughly 1,000 persons in total—are besieged in Gaza and are trying to escape. According to him, there are perhaps 5,000 other foreign nationals in Gaza who aspire to leave as well.