After they were besieged in a hospital, the White House announces the evacuation of American doctors from the Gaza Strip

The White House announced that a group of American medical workers left the Gaza Strip after they were besieged in the hospital where they were providing their services.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that 17 American doctors and health care workers left Gaza yesterday, Friday, out of 20.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the US State Department explained in press statements that some of the stranded doctors made their way to safety with the help of the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

An informed source said that three of the American doctors chose not to leave Gaza, adding that the doctors who remained realized that the American embassy may not be able to facilitate their departure as it did yesterday, Friday.

Last week, it was reported that American doctors were unable to leave Gaza after Israel closed the Rafah border crossing.

The Palestinian American Medical Society, a US-based non-profit organization, said that its team of 19 healthcare professionals, including 10 Americans, were prevented from exiting Gaza after their two-week mission.

The association said on social media last Wednesday that it has more doctors waiting to enter Gaza to replace those trying to leave.

This comes after the Israeli occupation army announced, on May 7, its control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt and closed it, obstructing the entry and exit of people, as well as obstructing the entry of aid trucks into the Strip.