Photo credit: Channel One / 1tv.ru
Moscow called on Palestine and Israel to cease fire and renounce violence. The Russian Foreign Ministry is sure that it is necessary to begin the negotiation process with the support of the international community. This is the only way to achieve the establishment of a comprehensive and lasting peace, which has long been awaited in the Middle East, the commentary says.
The Russian MFA is seriously concerned about the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been going on for 75 years.
The MFA recalled that Moscow's position on the issue hadn't changed. The conflict cannot be resolved by force. Efforts are needed in the diplomatic sphere to establish a full negotiation process based on international law. The law, in its turn, provides for the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem, living in peace and security with Israel.
Two days ago, the Palestinian Hamas movement launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel with a large-scale rocket attack. Thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip. After this, Hamas fighters entered Israeli territory.
The Israeli Army announced the launch of Operation Iron Swords against Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country was in a state of war. He warned that the mobilization of military personnel had begun.
As of Monday morning (October 9), the death toll on both sides is in the hundreds, thousands of people are injured.
The Russian Embassy in Israel reported that they had no confirmed information about Russians who could have been injured or gone missing in Israel. The consular department of the diplomatic mission noted that they are in constant contact with Israeli services and provide assistance to tourists in Israel.
Muscovites leave flowers outside the Israeli embassy after the Hamas attack. The country's flag is at half-mast over the diplomatic mission.
Russkiy Mir
