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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Russian, Egyptian diplomats call for ceasefire in Gaza for Ramadan — Foreign Ministry

During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on topical Middle East issues with a focus on the development of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Egyptian Ambassador to Moscow Nazih Nagari have emphasized the need for a ceasefire in the Middle East during Ramadan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The sides noted the importance of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 on March 25 and the need to urgently establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the month of Ramadan," the ministry stressed.

During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on topical Middle East issues with a focus on the development of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. "Some issues of Russian-Egyptian interaction were also considered, including maintaining an active political dialogue," the ministry added. The meeting was held at the Egyptian side's initiative.

On March 25, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution drafted by ten of the body's non-permanent members, including Algeria, demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the month of Ramadan. Fourteen UNSC countries voted in favor of the resolution, including the UK, China, Russia and France. Only the United States abstained.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated after militants from the radical Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the killing of residents of border towns and the seizure of over 240 hostages. The radicals called this attack a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a full blockade of Gaza and began striking it and certain areas in Lebanon and Syria, followed by a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are also taking place on the West Bank of the Jordan River.

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Foreign policy Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Military operation in Ukraine

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