American citizens attempting to escape the escalating conflict in Gaza were left stranded at the border with Egypt on Saturday, despite reassurances from the State Department that they would be able to cross. The Biden administration had advised Americans in Gaza to evacuate through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which was supposedly open to US citizens from 12pm to 5pm on Saturday. However, when Americans arrived at the crossing, they were denied entry and turned away. It is unclear what caused the confusion, but Egyptian officials have stated that they rejected the idea of using the Rafah crossing exclusively for foreigners.

Lena Beseiso, a 57-year-old American from Salt Lake City who was visiting her family in Gaza, expressed her concerns, stating, "Everyone here is frightened something goes wrong. I have hope it will open. We'll wait a little longer." Unfortunately, it appears that the crossing never opened, leaving Beseiso and many others stranded. There is uncertainty about whether the border will open the following day or if US citizens will need to find alternative means of leaving Gaza.

The situation has added to the already dire circumstances in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from their homes due to the Israeli military's advance. The US State Department has not provided any explanation for what happened at the border. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been traveling through the region in an effort to de-escalate tensions, beginning his day in Saudi Arabia before meeting with United Arab Emirates' Shiekh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The State Department had apparently reached an agreement with Israel and Egypt to allow safe passage for American citizens through the Rafah crossing. However, it remains unclear whether Hamas, which controls Gaza, approved of this arrangement. Egyptian authorities have not confirmed their intention to open the crossing either. Wael Abu Omar, the Palestinian spokesman for the Rafah crossing, confirmed that it was closed and revealed that Egypt was demanding the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza before allowing foreign nationals to leave.

The stranded Americans expressed their fears and frustrations, with Lena Beseiso describing the situation as "absolutely nerve-racking" and Abdulla Okal, who is currently in New Jersey, questioning how the US Embassy could instruct people to come to the Rafah crossing when it was closed. Okal's wife, Haneen, who was in Gaza to give birth, was also waiting at the border with their three children and extended family. The uncertainty and darkness approaching were causing great anxiety among those waiting.

As the day came to an end, Abood Okal, Haneen's brother and a Massachusetts resident, remained at the locked crossing with his wife, 1-year-old son, and the rest of their family. He expressed his fear and confusion, stating, "Now we don't know what the plan is... It's terrifying to look at people's faces and see the unknown in their eyes."

The State Department has yet to comment on the situation, leaving the stranded Americans anxiously awaiting answers and a resolution to their predicament. Edward Wong contributed to this report.