MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. Since the evacuation from the Gaza Strip began 653 of about 900 Russian citizens who applied for help have been rescued, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.

"In all, 653 out of about 900 compatriots who applied for help have been taken out of Gaza," the Foreign Ministry said in a news release uploaded to its website. The Emergencies Ministry’s planes have brought to Russia 553 people from Cairo.

The ministry noted the assistance of the Egyptian, Israeli, Palestinian and Qatari authorities.

"The Russian diplomatic missions in Cairo, Tel Aviv and Ramallah, specialized groups of the Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry and other agencies continue coordinated efforts for the speedy and safe evacuation of Russian citizens from the conflict zone," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.