Putin thanked the Egyptian president for his help in evacuating Russians from Gaza

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Egyptian leader Abdelfattah Sisi, during which he thanked the Egyptian side for its assistance in evacuating Russians from the Gaza Strip. About it reports Kremlin press service.

The presidents also touched upon the worsening Palestinian-Israeli conflict and expressed “deep concern” over the “unprecedented increase” in civilian casualties. The leaders called for an early ceasefire, the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Gaza.

In addition, the Kremlin noted the “consonance” of the positions of Moscow and Cairo on resolving the situation in the region through the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The first group of 70 Russians left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah checkpoint on the border with Egypt on November 12. The next day they were taken to Moscow. The second group of evacuated Russian citizens arrived to Russia on the night of November 15, there were 98 Russians on board. In the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reportedthat on November 14, the third group of Russian citizens, consisting of 40 people, also crossed the Rafah checkpoint.

Earlier, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that more than 1,000 people were on the list for evacuation from Gaza. According to her wordsamong them there are about 300 children.

The Kremlin said that Russian diplomats were dealing with the issue of evacuating Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip. According to the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, they are in contact with all parties related to this. He also notedthat the evacuation of the first 70 Russians does not mean that the diplomats’ efforts are over. Peskov emphasized that there is still “a lot to be done” for everyone to leave the enclave.