Americans express confusion, frustration in attempts to escape Gaza
Terrified by constant bombings all around her and with food and water running out, American Maha Barakat said her desperate attempts to flee Gaza have been frustrating. Terrified by constant bombings all around her and with food and water running out, American Maha Barakat said Sunday that her desperate attempts to flee Gaza have been met with frustration and confusion . Barakat said U.S. State Department officials have contacted her twice, telling her they are doing all they can to get her and other U.S. citizens out of Gaza. "They kept saying the opening will happen on short notice and this freaks me out," Barakat said. "Like, what do you mean, short notice? There are hundreds of Americans here and it will take hours to get everyone out." Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on Oct. 12, 2023. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images Barakat said she couldn't risk just getting into her car and driving to the southern border without some solid a...