MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday slammed Israeli attacks on Gaza as “collective punishment of the civilian population”, in some of Moscow’s strongest criticism of Israel as it steps up its offensive.
The Israeli military has recently stepped up its offensive in the territory in what it says is a renewed push to destroy Hamas.
“What is happening in Gaza is incomprehensible and indescribable,” Lavrov said at a regional forum.
“The measures taken by Israel” in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas “constitute collective punishment of the civilian population,” he added.
“We, together with our Arab friends and the overwhelming majority of other countries, insist that the bloodshed must stop immediately,” Lavrov said.
Israeli strikes kill 44 in Gaza
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli airstrikes killed 44 people in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including 23 in a single attack on a family home in central Gaza.
“Forty-four people have been killed in Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip,” civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told AFP.
“Twenty-three people were killed, others injured and several (are) missing following an Israeli strike on the Qreinawi family’s home east of Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.”
Mughayyir also reported “two people killed and several injured by Israeli forces’ gunfire this morning near the American aid centre in the Morag axis, southern Gaza Strip.”
When asked by AFP about the strike in Al-Bureij and the gunfire near the aid centre, the Israeli military said it was looking into them.
Earlier this month, Israel stepped up its offensive in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza said Thursday at least 3,986 people had been killed in the territory since Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 54,249, mostly civilians.
Optimism about ceasefire
Meanwhile, mediators continue to push for a ceasefire that remains elusive.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has expressed optimism on a new ceasefire agreement and hostage deal in Gaza, Axios reported.
Hamas said it had reached an agreement with Witkoff on a general framework for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.
Witkoff made an appearance alongside Trump in the Oval Office and announced he had drafted “a new term sheet” for the president’s approval.
“I have some very good feelings about getting to a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict,” Witkoff said.
Witkoff has been negotiating with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top adviser Ron Dermer, as well as with Hamas leaders in Doha through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. – Agencies
