Elgin family in Gaza could head to Egypt on Thursday
CHICAGO (CBS) -- On Wednesday, for the first time, hundreds of foreigners stuck in Gaza for weeks were allowed to cross into Egypt -- including some Americans.
Now, a father and longtime Chicagoan with family in Elgin has learned his daughter and her family could be leaving Gaza as soon as Thursday.
As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reported Wednesday, John Rauschenberger learned his daughter's ordeal could soon be coming to an end.
Rauschenberger received a text message from the U.S. Embassy, saying Americans in Gaza will be contacted in groups to learn when they can leave. The news has him filled with anticipation and joy.
"We've always been upbeat, but the odds start working against you the longer that you're there," he said. "We're just absolutely delighted."
Rauschenberger spoke to CBS 2 from Florida. His daughter Emilee's time in war-torn Gaza is entering a fourth week.
Emilee, born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois, had been visiting Gaza with her Palestinian-born husband Mohammed and their five children.
"He took 10 years to become a U.K. citizen, so he would go back every two, three years to visit family. And his ailing mother is 87, and they thought, 'You know, now is the time to go see her. One more time,'" Rauschenberger said.
Emilee, her husband, and their children call the United Kingdom home. Both are professors in the U.K. They had no idea they would be stuck in Gaza after Oct. 7.
"They can't source water anymore. They've got to try to find a vendor on the street," Rauschenberger said.
Rauschenberger is the brother of former Illinois State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger.
While John Rauschenberger said he owes a debt of gratitude to lawmakers he has connected with, he said his son Joe has been at the forefront, getting his sister home and sending out hundreds of emails asking for help. Joe works for a high-tech, veteran-owned security firm.
"He's been awake 22, 23 hours a day. He's got four screens in his office. His veteran owners said you do what you got to do. He's found whatever we want. He's got everything that we've needed," said John Rauschenberger. "So he's really been the person that's brought the network together and everybody. So, Emilee better thank her brother Joe."
John Rauschenberger hopes Emilee and her family will leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt on Thursday.
"We're just praying that all Americans get out and foreign nationals as well as the rescue of the hostages that Hamas is holding. But obviously, we're very focused on my daughter and her family," he said.
Rauschenberger said he'll be on the next plane to the U.K. when he gets word his daughter, her husband, and their children are on the way.
He told his grandchildren to make a gift list for Christmas. He plans to have three suitcases filled with presents to celebrate Christmas early with them.
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) is working with Rauschenberger's family to get them out of Gaza, Krishnamoorthi released this statement:
"My team and I have been working closely with the Rauschenberger-Abu Hamad family on a near daily basis to safely evacuate them from Gaza, and we are actively helping dozens of other families in similar situations. My office has been in close communication with the White House and State Department as we continue to press the Egyptian government to keep the Rafah Crossing open to allow evacuations and humanitarian aid shipments. My heart goes out to these families and to all those who have experienced loss over the last month. I will not rest until each family we are assisting reaches safety."
Krishnamoorthi's office also issued a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week on the evacuations from Gaza, which specifically addressed the Rauschenberger family's plight.
2023.10.24 Rafah Letter to Blinken by Adam Harrington on Scribd