MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. About 200 Russian citizens and their family members crossed the Rafah border checkpoint on Friday, the Russian Emergencies Ministry told TASS, adding that over 500 people have already been evacuated from the Gaza Strip, with 288 of them having already been transported to Russia.

"Today, about 200 Russian citizens and their family members have already crossed the [border] checkpoint. In total, more than 500 people have been evacuated from the conflict zone so far. Of those, 288 people have already been taken to Russia," the press service said.

The Emergencies Ministry pointed out that the group of Russians who crossed the border on Friday was the largest to date.

"Those who crossed the border will be transported by a centralized convoy to Cairo, where the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s taskforce continues its operation," the ministry added.

There, Russian emergency workers, psychologists and doctors are poised to offer medical and psychological assistance. Also, the evacuees will be provided with food and water, as well as help obtaining necessary documents.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry in coordination with diplomats organized the evacuation of Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is raging. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that more than 1,000 people, including Russian citizens and compatriots, had asked to be evacuated.