MOSCOW, November 10. /TASS/. Russia is solving the problem surrounding the blockade of the Rafah crossing in coordination with Israel, Egypt and Palestine, Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters.
"Regrettably, there is such a problem (the blockade of the Rafah border crossing - TASS), which we are now solving in coordination with everyone - the Israelis, the Egyptians and the Palestinians," he said when asked by TASS.
"Of course, I hope it will be solved," said Bogdanov, who is also a deputy foreign minister.
The senior diplomat underscored that the issue of evacuating the wounded from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing should not be linked to civilian movement and should not make anyone a hostage.
"In my opinion, it is absolutely unacceptable to make a problem out of another problem, and to link the exit of those wounded and sick, as there may be children there, does not mean that this problem has to be linked to the exit of civilians, as there are children and women, and to turn them into hostages. In my opinion, this is absolutely unacceptable," he said.
Earlier, a statement posted on the Rafah crossing website said that foreigners could not cross into Egypt from Gaza "due to the lack of coordination regarding the transportation of wounded Palestinians from the northern Gaza Strip."