A Massachusetts family trapped in Gaza for nearly a month during the war between Israel and Hamas was finally able to cross a border into Egypt on Thursday, they announced in a statement. Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda and their 1-year-old son, Yousef 바카라 게임 웹사이트� all American citizens who live in Medway, Massachusetts 바카라 게임 웹사이트� were visiting Abuzayda's family in Gaza when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and became trapped in the siege that followed. They spent weeks waiting for a chance to cross the border in Rafah. According to the statement, which was issued by family friend Sam Nabulsi, they crossed the border into Egypt around 11:30 a.m. local Gaza time on Thursday. "They are currently being transported to Cairo by United States Consular Affairs," the statement said. "The Okal Family is overwhelmed with the love and support they have received from home and abroad, but they are also exhausted, physically and emotionally drained, and have a long journey ahead of them back to the United States."The family asked for privacy during their trip home and also asked for "prayers for the innocent civilians in Gaza, who gave them shelter, who helped them find food and water, but who continue to be without their own supply of food, water, fuel, or medicine to live."Throughout their experience, Okal periodically sent recordings to Nabulsi. Those messages described the family's experiences, including running out of supplies, witnessing airstrikes and searching for water.As of Wednesday's message, the family was still waiting near the border crossing with Okal's sister and her three children."A total of 40 people in a single-family home that we've been sheltering here for a few weeks now," Okal said. Okal described hearing "bombs all night" and an ongoing struggle for basic supplies, including water. He said that for several consecutive days, they were only able to obtain about 1 gallon of water for everyone in the house.In Wednesday's recording, Okal described the beginning of border crossings as "a glimmer of hope for leaving the war zone and saving our lives." Full statement from Okal family:"Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda, and their one-year-old son Yousef Okal of Medway, Massachusetts, departed Gaza and crossed safely into Egypt through the Rafah Crossing shortly after 5:30 a.m. EST (11:30 a.m. local Gaza time) on November 2, 2023. They are currently being transported to Cairo by United States Consular Affairs. The Okal Family is overwhelmed with the love and support they have received from home and abroad, but they are also exhausted, physically and emotionally drained, and have a long journey ahead of them back to the United States. The Okal Family expresses its deepest gratitude to their family and friends around the world, the Medway community, the media for sharing their plight and the plight of the hundreds of other Americans trapped in Gaza, their elected officials who fought hard for their return, and the State Department for providing them with safe departure. At this time, the Okal Family asks for three things: (1) privacy until they return safely to their home in Medway, Massachusetts, (2) the immediate and safe departure of the remaining American citizens and their families in Gaza, and (3) compassion and prayers for the innocent civilians in Gaza, who gave them shelter, who helped them find food and water, but who continue to be without their own supply of food, water, fuel, or medicine to live. Details of the Okal Family바카라 게임 웹사이트�s return date to Medway are not known at this time."