By Muhammed Enes Calli
ISTANBUL (AA) – Since the start of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, Türkiye has evacuated a total of 1,047 people to safety, an official announced on Wednesday.
The evacuees, including Turkish citizens, their family members, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) citizens, were greeted by Turkish diplomats on the Egyptian side of the border crossing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said Wednesday on X.
They first arrive in the capital Cairo by car before heading to Istanbul by plane, he said.
"The list of our citizens who are currently waiting for evacuation is constantly updated, and coordination is carried out with the relevant authorities," he added.
"We aim to conclude the evacuation of all our citizens from Gaza safely and as soon as possible," Keceli added.
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 18,412 Palestinians have been killed and 50,100 others injured in the Israeli onslaught since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while around 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.