Moscow claims the US is behind the ‘unprecedented’ violence in the Middle East. Explore the accusations and geopolitical implications of this statement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the bloodshed in Gaza could have been halted if Washington had discontinued sending arms to Israel.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted at the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the continuous confrontation between Israel and Hamas, a militant group located in Gaza that has already caused tens of thousands of casualties, can be attributed to US actions within the area.
According to Lavrov, the region has already experienced Western colonial domination and “new geopolitical experiments” by Washington and its allies only make matters worse.
According to the foreign minister, despite ten months of conflict that has resulted in 40,000 Palestinian civilian casualties and 90,000 injuries so far, Washington remains supportive by providing diplomatic protection as well as weapons and ammunition to West Jerusalem. The death toll from this ongoing standoff between Israel and Hamas even surpasses that of the entire Ukraine crisis spanning a decade since the Maidan coup in Kiev back in 2014.
According to Lavrov, the war in Gaza resulted in nearly 300 fatalities among UN staff and employees of other humanitarian organizations, which he claimed was an unprecedented figure.
He stated that if the US were to withdraw its support for Israel, there would be an end to bloodshed. However, he believed that either the United States was unwilling or incapable of doing so.
The foreign minister asserts that Washington prioritizes winning the upcoming presidential election in November over preserving human lives.
According to Lavrov, Washington has refused any request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the UN level and urged the UN Security Council to halt its efforts on this matter.
According to the foreign minister, Russia is in favor of a prompt and enduring ceasefire that would facilitate the liberation of 120 Israeli hostages. Additionally, this should lead to the release of 9,500 Palestinians who have been unlawfully detained since October 7th, 2023.
In addition, Moscow is urging for the provision of safe humanitarian aid to all individuals requiring assistance. If Israel would put a stop to its unauthorized West Bank settlements in conjunction with these efforts, this would offer suitable circumstances for recommencing peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel according to his remarks.
Lavrov mentioned that Moscow is well-informed about confidential engagements intended to determine the fate of Gaza and Palestine without involving Palestinian authorities or citizens. Lavrov strongly opposes such acts, emphasizing on the imperative inclusion of Palestine in any decision-making related to their country’s future.
According to the foreign minister, there are unprecedented security risks and threats to the well-being of people in the Middle Eastern region due to Gaza’s conflict. The situation has potential for spreading beyond just Israel and Palestine.
In October 2023, a sudden assault by Hamas on neighboring Israeli settlements caused conflict to erupt in Gaza. The militants killed roughly 1,200 individuals and kidnapped another 200. In response, West Jerusalem launched extensive airstrikes before initiating a ground offensive that persists today.
