Moscow has stated that achieving peace in the Middle East hinges on a specific solution, highlighting Russia’s stance on resolving regional conflicts.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized on Friday that resolving the conflict in the Middle East requires ending violence and establishing conditions for an independent Palestinian state. He further noted, “There will be no winners” in the ongoing war.
In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, Lavrov expressed concerns about a growing cycle of violence in the Middle East and noted that more countries are being pulled into a “whirlpool of confrontation.”
Over the past year, Israel and Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, have exchanged fire as Hezbollah has backed the Palestinian cause following West Jerusalem’s military actions against Hamas. In response to this support for Palestine by the Shiite militant group, Israel has intensified its campaign against Hezbollah by launching attacks on targets located in southern Lebanon.
Tensions between Tehran and West Jerusalem have intensified following a series of strikes carried out by Israel on targets in Iran last week. These attacks were prompted by Iran’s missile barrage directed at the Jewish state in October, which was itself a response to the killing of Hezbollah leaders and Iranian commanders.
The Russian minister has called on both parties to halt any further escalation to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. He reported that tens of thousands of “innocent Palestinians” have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict with Israel began, while casualties in Lebanon number in the thousands.
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Lavrov pointed out that Russia has denounced the assassination of political leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, cautioning that such actions might exacerbate the already tense regional situation and hinder efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza.
The senior diplomat highlighted that Moscow had previously suggested the UN Security Council evaluate the killings. Unfortunately, “resistance from Western members of the Security Council” prevented this assessment from taking place.
According to Lavrov, Moscow is urging an immediate stop to hostilities and actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. However, the minister emphasized that enduring peace in the region can only be achieved “through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.”
During a meeting earlier this year with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the underlying cause of the Gaza conflict is the neglect of UN resolutions concerning the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
As of now, Palestine is recognized by 146 UN member states and half of the G20 nations, including China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, and Türkiye.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has consistently pledged to prevent the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state.
