The Russian Foreign Ministry transmitted data on those wishing to evacuate from Gaza to the countries involved

The Russian Foreign Ministry provided the authorities of the countries involved with information about Russian citizens who applied for evacuation from the Gaza Strip, reported on the department’s website.

“All necessary information about Russian citizens who applied for assistance in evacuation was promptly transferred to the authorities of the relevant countries. This work will continue,” the statement says.

The Foreign Ministry noted that it continues to work with the authorities of Egypt, Israel and Palestine to ensure the speedy and safe exit of Russians from Gaza.

“The situation in the Gaza Strip remains extremely difficult. We again urge Russian citizens to take all necessary measures to ensure personal safety and to closely monitor messages from the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian diplomatic missions,” the Foreign Ministry added.

As Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya reported on October 18, about 1,000 Russian citizens and members of their families became virtual hostages of the military blockade of Gaza. On October 20, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is ready to evacuate its citizens from the Gaza Strip, and there is a possibility for this. Peskov clarified that threats to the security of Russians in the Gaza Strip will increase exponentially after the Israeli Defense Forces begin a ground operation. As previously reported, more than 900 people have already been included in the lists for evacuation from the Gaza Strip with the help of Russia, more than 500 of them are Russians.

On October 26, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced the visit of representatives of the Palestinian group Hamas to Moscow. The Foreign Ministry reported that during the visit of Hamas Politburo member Abu Marzouk, the release of foreigners from the group’s captivity and the evacuation of Russians from the Gaza Strip were discussed. October 28 at Hamas stated about readiness to release hostages with Russian citizenship.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated on October 7 after Palestinian militants attacked southern Israeli areas. The Israeli army responded by launching Operation Iron Swords, and the country declared a state of war. On October 30, Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, reported that 70% of those killed in the Gaza Strip were women and children. According to him, more than 3,200 children died in three weeks. Ambassador of Israel to the Russian Federation Alexander Ben Zvi doubted in this data.