A spokesman for the Rafah crossing confirmed to RIA News Information that the initial group of 85 Russian nationals would be evacuated from the Gaza Strip on Friday, November 10.
“On Friday, a total of 594 foreign nationals, including 85 Russians, are planned to depart Gaza via Rafah,” he stated.
Evacuees were advised to be at the checkpoint by seven in the morning.
On November 10, the Rafah Online information portal, citing a list from the Gaza Strip Border Crossing Authority, reported that the first group of 85 Russians had been identified in the area and were set to leave through the Rafah checkpoint.
Prior to that, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that roughly 300 minor Russian citizens were on the evacuation list from the Gaza Strip.
On November 8, Hamas militants did not block foreigners from leaving Gaza; however, Western evacuation lists were being compiled for U.S. and Israeli citizens.
Earlier Hamas stated that foreign hostages would be released “when conditions allow.”