The first group of Canadian citizens and their eligible family members to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip gathered at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt early Tuesday morning after receiving notification from Global Affairs Canada.

Mohamed Sharif Al-Ghossein, whose name is on the list, said with his wife and two daughters, "I was sent an email... stating that I have to leave Gaza to the border this morning. I have been here since 7 a.m.". Eighty Canadians and their family members agreed to leave Gaza for the first time since the war between Israel and Hamas began a month ago.

So far, between 20 and 25 Canadians and their families have crossed the border, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Al-Ghossein and others who were evacuated spoke to independent journalist Mohamed Al-Saifi at the Rafah border crossing on CBC.

The email received by Al-Ghossein and others on the list from Global Affairs Canada stated that the Rafah border crossing would open at 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday. It added that consular officials would wait on the Egyptian side of the border to assist in transporting the evacuees by bus to Cairo, where the Egyptian government will allow them to stay for up to three days.

During our stay in Cairo, we will provide you with food, accommodation, and basic necessities, "We will also assist in travel to Canada at your own expense," the Canadian government email said. "Financial assistance in the form of emergency travel loans is available for those in need."

In a video statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the first group of Canadians was welcomed by diplomats in Egypt.

Joly said, "I know families and loved ones have been eagerly waiting; finally, the first group of Canadians has been evacuated from Gaza," before thanking the Egyptian, Israeli, and Qatari governments and diplomats for their work.

Canadian evacuations come days after other foreign nationals were able to leave the Gaza Strip, which is under continuous Israeli bombardment following Hamas's attack on southern Israel that resulted in 1,400 deaths on October 7. Hamas fighters also held 240 hostages.

Health officials in Gaza say the Israeli attack since then has killed 10,328 Palestinians, including about 4,237 children.

Those who are able to leave feel relieved to have gotten out but say they are sad about losing their homes, loved ones, and livelihoods in Gaza, and fearful for those they left behind.

Al-Ghossein said he managed to include his wife and daughters on the evacuation list "after many attempts," but he could not include his parents and sister.

Adding, "It was a difficult situation to choose between leaving with my family and leaving my parents behind," he called on the Canadian government to help evacuate the rest of his family.

For Abdel Nasser, the Canadian leaving Gaza with his wife, this moment is bittersweet.

Nasser said, "I am happy to be going to Canada, but my home is here with my family," "I have lost more than 30 friends... I have lost more than 20 people in my family."

Nassar said his home and work were bombed last month, and “there is nothing left” in Gaza.

Aya Aziz also hopes her trip out of Gaza with her three children will be safe after losing her home, family members' deaths, and living, like others, without electricity and clean water.

According to Global Affairs Canada, the Israeli army said last week that "more than 400 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members will be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing in the coming days."

Ahmed Hussein, Canada's Minister of International Development, told CBC News, "The fact that the first group has left is very encouraging." He added, "I think this will build momentum to get the rest out, now that we have the means to ensure safe passage."

Currently, 451 Canadians live in Gaza and the West Bank and are registered with Global Affairs; the names of the first group allowed to leave appeared in a widely shared Google spreadsheet listing about 20 Canadian citizens, while the rest are dual citizens or Palestinians.