Artist Emmalene Blake's mural on the wall of a Dublin pub became an iconic image of Gaza's grief. Then one day, she got an Instagram message from the Palestinian woman in the image.
Roughly 1.4 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah are bracing for a potential Israeli assault, but hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough as negotiators work to secure a cease-fire.
As aid trucks slowly make their way into Gaza, another gate at Rafah is for people departing the besieged territory — the only exit for those permitted to leave, including the critically wounded.
The Rafah border crossing, operated by Egyptian authorities, is the only Gaza crossing not directly controlled by Israel. Now it is the only entry point for aid and exit point for those able to leave.
Wounded people, along with about 500 foreign or dual nationals and aid workers are expected be allowed to leave Gaza and enter Egypt on Wednesday, according to officials in Gaza.
Many more truckloads of aid are waiting in Egypt. Hundreds of trapped Americans had come to the border, hoping the aid delivery could be chance to escape the violence. But none were allowed out.