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Plan for evacuation of Russians from Gaza in the works – Palestinian ambassador to Russia

Abdel Hafiz Nofal noted that when the Rafah checkpoint opens, both Russians and citizens of other countries will be evacuated

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The Palestinian embassy to Russia is working out an algorithm to evacuate Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal said in an interview with RTVI.

"Now we are trying to work out an algorithm in order to evacuate citizens when Israel provides a humanitarian corridor. We have developed an algorithm of interaction with the Russian embassy to Ramallah in order to take out, evacuate Russian nationals from the Gaza Strip as soon as possible," he said.

The ambassador added that when the Rafah crossing opens, both Russians and other foreigners will be evacuated. He believes that people will be gradually evacuated via the city of El-Arish in North Sinai Governorate and Cairo.

"We have serious ties with the Russian side so as to resolve this issues and take all civilians out of there safe and sound," the diplomat stressed.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank

According to the latest statistics, more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed and over 5,200 more wounded during the conflict. More than 7,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 18,500 wounded as a result of Israel’s strikes on Gaza, the local health ministry said.