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Middle East and North Africa

Russia appeals strongly to Israel, PNA to stop armed confrontation

Situation has escalated sharply on November 14 over the Israeli operation to destroy Ahmed al-Jabari, the leader of the military Hamas wing Izzeddin Qassam Brigades

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, November 15 (Itar-Tass) — The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating dramatically, Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday.

The situation has escalated sharply on November 14 over the Israeli operation to destroy Ahmed al-Jabari, the leader of the military Hamas wing Izzeddin Qassam Brigades, the Russian diplomat noted.

“Israel stated about the launch of the Cloud of Pillar Operation that is targeted against the militants in the Gaza Strip,” he recalled. “Israel is delivering air strikes on various targets in the Palestinian enclave. Almost all Gaza cities were bombarded. According to the media reports, over ten Palestinians were killed and over 100 Palestinians were wounded. There are several Palestinian civilians, including children and women, among those killed and wounded. Meanwhile, about 200 missiles were launched from the Gaza Strip at the sites and cities in southern Israel. There are some casualties in these missile strikes,” he recalled.

“Russia is seriously concerned over the situation in the Gaza Strip,” the diplomat stated. “The development of the situation under a forcible scenario is impermissible. The shelling in southern Israel, as well as disproportionate strikes on the Gaza Strip, particularly when the civilians are the victims from both sides, are absolutely unacceptable. We address to all parties involved in the armed conflict with insistent appeals to stop the armed confrontation immediately, avert the escalation of the conflict, observe strictly the norms of international humanitarian law, primarily those of not causing the damage to civilians,” Lukashevich underlined.

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