Moscow: Russia expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the escalating conflict in Gaza, particularly highlighting Israel’s military action in Rafah. Moscow’s stance underscores the urgent need for a resolution in the region, with little sign of peace talks on the horizon.
Israel’s recent incursion into Rafah, a southern city in Gaza where over a million displaced Palestinian civilians have sought refuge, has further exacerbated tensions. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, emphasized the gravity of the situation during a press briefing, stating, “An additional destabilizing factor, including for the entire region, was the launch of an Israeli military ground operation in Rafah.”
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Zakharova stressed the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, especially considering the concentration of Palestinian civilians in Rafah. “About one and a half million Palestinian civilians are concentrated there. In this regard, we demand strict compliance with the provisions of international humanitarian law,” she affirmed.
Addressing the broader context of the Middle East peace process, Zakharova expressed pessimism regarding the prospects for a lasting settlement. “I would like to call it a settlement, but, alas, it is far from a settlement,” she lamented. “There are no prospects for resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary, the situation in the conflict zone is escalating daily.”
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The conflict in Gaza erupted when Hamas militants launched attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties and abductions. Israeli tallies suggest that approximately 133 individuals remain in captivity in Gaza out of the 250 abducted. Tragically, the conflict has claimed the lives of nearly 35,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
