MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov thanked Egyptian Ambassador to Moscow Nazeh al-Nagari for Cairo’s assistance in the evacuation of Russians from the Gaza Strip, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday after their meeting.

"The sides discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip with a focus on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. Gratitude was expressed to the Egyptian side for its assistance in ensuring safe evacuation of Russian citizens from the armed conflict zone," it said.

The sides also discussed issues of Russian-Egyptian cooperation, including political dialogue and coordination within the United Nations and other international structures.

The meeting was requested by the Egyptian ambassador.

Russia’s emergencies ministry jointly with Russian diplomats are actively working to evacuate Russians from the Gaza Strip. On November 12, the first group of 70 Russian nationals crossed into Egypt via the Rafah checkpoint and 99 - on November 13. Thus, as many as 169 Russians have been evacuated from Gaza.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that the lists of those willing to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip have more than 1,000 names. There are "both Russians and compatriots, as well as 300 minors" among them.

The first group of 70 Russians arrived in Moscow on Monday evening onboard an emergencies ministry’s Il-76 plane.