MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing Russia’s commitment to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a series of calls to key regional players, Putin emphasized the need for ending the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation through diplomatic means.
Notably, this move doesn’t explicitly mention the ceasefire resolution Russia is proposing at the United Nations Security Council.
However, Putin briefed Netanyahu on his discussions with leaders from Iran, Egypt, Syria, and the Palestinian Authority, all of whom echoed the urgent necessity of a ceasefire and humanitarian truce. There is growing concern about the conflict potentially escalating into a regional war.
This crisis in the Middle East has diverted global attention from Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, allowing Moscow to position itself as a voice for peace and restraint in the region.
Putin also conveyed his condolences to Netanyahu for the loss of over 1,300 Israeli lives due to attacks initiated by Hamas. He shared Russia’s efforts to normalize the situation and prevent further escalation of violence, emphasizing the need to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
While supporting the Palestinians remains a foreign policy priority for Iran, “resistance” groups make independent decisions regarding the conflict. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed the possibility of the Israel-Palestine conflict spreading to other fronts.
Putin further engaged in discussions with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He sought Cairo’s assistance in evacuating Russian citizens from Gaza.
The situation in the Middle East is growing increasingly precarious, with concerns about the indiscriminate actions of the Israeli army and the potential for the conflict to spiral out of control.
