Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday condemned the state of affairs in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and criticized Israel’s blockade on help deliveries as “especially worrying.”
Speaking in Moscow alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Putin mentioned Russia is carefully monitoring the Israeli-Palestinian battle, which has claimed greater than 51,000 lives, “with concern and empathy.”
“Tensions are escalating in the West Bank, and Gaza is facing a genuine humanitarian disaster,” Putin mentioned. “As a long-standing friend of the Palestinian people, Russia continues to provide aid – more than 800 tons of food, medicine and essential goods have been delivered over the past year.”
Reaffirming Moscow’s stance, he emphasised that lasting peace can solely be achieved via a two-state answer grounded in internationally acknowledged authorized rules.
“We will exchange views on what else Russia can do to reduce tensions. Naturally, we will also address pressing issues on the bilateral agenda,” he added.
Abbas thanked Russia for its help, saying Moscow has persistently backed “justice, the creation of a Palestinian state and the rights of the Palestinian people.”
He additionally referred to as for the resumption of humanitarian help to the Gaza Strip, which suffers from extreme shortages of meals, electrical energy and different important provides.
Abbas mentioned his administration helps a cease-fire with Israel and rejects proposals advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians or the institution of overseas administrations in Gaza.
“No Americans or other foreigners can govern in the Gaza Strip. We want to regain control of the area. We aspire for the Palestinian Authority to administer the Gaza Strip,” he mentioned.
As of Saturday, a minimum of 52,810 Palestinians have died in Israel’s struggle on Gaza since October 2023, in keeping with the Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry.
The Israeli army resumed assaults on Gaza on March 18, killing 2,701 folks and injuring 7,432 others, breaking a cease-fire and prisoner trade settlement that started in January.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on prices of struggle crimes and crimes towards humanity dedicated in Gaza.
Israel additionally faces a separate genocide case on the International Court of Justice stemming from its actions within the besieged territory.
Source: www.dailysabah.com