Russian, CIS citizens being evacuated from Gaza

MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax) - The evacuation of Russian and CIS citizens from the Gaza Strip has begun, Alexei Pogodin, the head of Russia's mission in Palestine, said.

"The evacuation has begun. Those willing to leave are arriving at the Erez checkpoint on the border with Israel, and they will soon be cleared through the checkpoint," Pogodin told Interfax on Monday.

Belarusian, Kazakh and Ukrainian citizens also want to leave the Gaza Strip. In all, 100 people are waiting to be evacuated, " he said.

"However, not all of them will leave. Some have changed their minds, while others have reversed their plans for family reasons," Pogodin said.

"Israeli officials have been giving us maximum assistance. Russian citizens, and citizens from other CIS countries have arrived at the checkpoint and will be cleared to Israel after their luggage has been checked," press attache of the Russian embassy in Israel Anastasiya Fyodorova said.

[link to www.interfax.ru]