Russian diplomats facilitated the evacuation of several dozen Russian and Palestinian citizens from Gaza City as Israel initiated a significant ground offensive this week, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

Approximately 50 individuals were safely escorted from the enclave on Wednesday, thanks to the efforts of Russia’s mission to the Palestinian Authority and its embassy in Jordan, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in an interview with the state news agency TASS.

Among those evacuated were 26 Russians and 24 Palestinians, which included 25 minors and 11 women.

The group made their way into Egypt via the Kerem Shalom crossing before being transferred to Jordan through the Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge.

One evacuee shared with the RIA Novosti news agency that Russian diplomats had arranged further flights to Moscow, with plans for his family to continue on to St. Petersburg.

Israel commenced its military operation in Gaza City on Tuesday despite mounting international disapproval regarding its actions in the Palestinian territory. This week, UN experts accused Israel of committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip, a claim that Israel has dismissed as “distorted and false.”

In August, the UN estimated that around 1 million people were residing in Gaza City and surrounding areas, while Israeli authorities assert that about 350,000 individuals have fled.

Health officials in Gaza reported on Thursday that at least 79 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire in the territory over the last 24 hours.

Reporting by AFP contributed to this article.