A second batch of Russian citizens evacuated from the Gaza Strip touched down at Domodedovo Airport aboard an Il-76 aircraft operated by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The information came from the ministry’s press service, confirmed by TASS spokesperson Roman Okhotenko.
The second evacuation group was comprised of 98 people boarding the Ministry of Emergency Situations aircraft. Medical staff and psychologists accompanied the passengers on the flight as part of the ministry’s support for evacuees, according to Okhotenko.
Earlier reports noted that a separate flight carrying a second Russian group arrived in Moscow from Gaza on the evening of November 14, continuing the organized evacuation operation.
Domodedovo Airport also received the first evacuee group on the evening of November 13. The arrival occurred around 21:14 local time, with approximately 70 people on board the aircraft returning to the capital from the Gaza area.
Later updates from the Ministry of Emergency Situations indicated that the second group had reached Cairo for onward transport. The ministry reported that the total number of Russians evacuated from the Palestinian territory reached 99 persons, including 43 children, who proceeded to the Egyptian capital for further processing and relocation.
The escalation in the Middle East began after Hamas militants crossed into Israel from Gaza on October 7, triggering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proclamation that Israel was at war. The objective of Israel’s campaign, described as a response to the events named Operation Iron Sword, was to pressure Hamas, secure the release of hostages including foreigners, and degrade the militant group’s capabilities. In the early days of the operation, Israel conducted extensive rocket strikes on the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Israeli National Security Council limited essential supplies such as water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the Gaza area to various extents. Humanitarian shipments were being delivered to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, but the volume of relief appeared insufficient to meet growing needs, according to ongoing reports. (Source: TASS)
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operation in Gaza. The precise start date of this expanded phase remained unclear, but in the lead up, large numbers of Palestinians fled their homes, seeking shelter in southern parts of the region. By November 5, as the ground offensive around Gaza City intensified and supply routes were cut off, fighting continued in central Gaza despite significant displacement and humanitarian challenges. (Source: Associated press and Israeli authorities)
Statements from political figures within Israel continued to underscore the gravity of the situation. One notable remark from a former far-right Israeli National Security Minister highlighted concerns about the balance between military action and humanitarian relief. He expressed that sending only explosive material while withholding humanitarian aid would not solve the crisis until all civilian hostages were released. This perspective reflected ongoing debates about the appropriate mix of security maneuvers and humanitarian considerations amid the broader conflict. (Source: various official statements)