Evacuation of Ukrainians from Gaza Strip being prepared
The preparatory stage for the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from the Gaza Strip has begun. Departure will be carried out through the Rafah checkpoint to Egypt.
This was announced by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleh Nikolenko on Facebook.
"Amid the Egyptian authorities' decision to allow the departure of foreigners from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah checkpoint, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, other involved agencies, and Ukrainian embassies in the region have begun the preparatory phase of evacuating Ukrainians," Nikolenko wrote.
What is known:
- The list of those willing to leave has been updated. Currently, there are 358 of them. These are mostly women and children. Communication with everyone is maintained.
- An official request was sent to the parties involved for the issuance of permits to leave the Palestinian enclave and transit through Egyptian territory. Approval is pending.
- Documents have been prepared for Ukrainians who do not have valid travel documents.
- The necessary transport is booked.
- A group of diplomats, which will arrive at the border with the Gaza Strip to help our citizens on the spot, has been formed.
"As the Egyptian side reported, the departure of foreigners from the Gaza Strip will be carried out in alphabetical order, according to their citizenship," Nikolenko noted.
He added that this issue is under the personal control of Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Egypt has deployed tanks and armored vehicles near the Rafah checkpoint on the border with the Gaza Strip.