VR Commissioner for Human Rights arrives in Egypt to coordinate evacuation of Ukrainians from Gaza Strip

The relevant statement was made by Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Arrived in Egypt’s Cairo to help arrange the mechanism of evacuation for our citizens from the Gaza Strip,” Lubinets wrote.

Following Hamas’ terrorist attack on the State of Israel, Ukrainian civilians are remaining blocked in the Gaza Strip. The situation is critical, as people were left without electricity and communications. Some 243 Ukrainians, mainly women and children, are now in need of urgent evacuation.

“It is worth noting that the Rafah Border Crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip has been blocked. Hence, at a meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky endorsed a decision that I, acting as Ukraine’s ombudsman, urgently arrive in Egypt to meet with competent agencies in order to resolve the humanitarian issue,” Lubinets explained.

The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights is working together with Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights (NCHR). In particular, Lubinets held a meeting with NCHR President Moushira Khattab, dedicated to the mechanism of bringing Ukrainians home.

Ukrainian diplomats and other competent agencies are also actively working on this issue.

“The evacuation of Ukrainian citizens is under the personal control of the President of Ukraine and Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak. We are working to bring Ukrainians home as soon as possible,” Lubinets stressed.

Later, during a nationwide telethon, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets noted that, for unknown reasons, the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry revoked permission for the evacuation of Ukrainians and other foreign citizens from the Gaza Strip, as they cannot guarantee safety.