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Moscow is concerned about escalation of tensions in Gaza Strip

Maria Zakharova said the tensions "may lead to new civilian deaths on both sides and the collapse of the humanitarian situation on Palestinian territory"

MOSCOW, November 1. /TASS/. Moscow is concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Gaza Strip, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at Thursday’s briefing.

"Moscow is concerned about these developments, when rash, hasty actions increase the risk of a massive armed confrontation around Gaza which may lead to new civilian deaths on both sides and the collapse of the humanitarian situation on Palestinian territory," she stressed.

"We call on the Israelis and Palestinians to show restraint and take urgent measures to rule out the exacerbation of a power confrontation with unexpected tragic effects," the diplomat noted.

In order to stop violence it is necessary to strive to "renew the peace process under the two-state formula of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly and the Arab Peace Initiative," she said.

The tension in the Palestinian enclave ratcheted up overnight into October 27. Gazan radicals fired about 500 rockets and mortar rounds on Israel, and in response Israeli fighters and helicopters hit more than 90 military targets in the Gaza Strip. The interchange is seventh since the beginning of the year and third during the month.