UNITED NATIONS, November 11. /TASS/. Middle Eastern countries should play a key role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.

"We would also like to highlight the central role of Middle Eastern countries in resolving regional issues. Outside forces should not be allowed to take advantage of the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation to break the positive trends that emerged in the region recently," he said at a UN Security Council meeting.

Nebenzya pointed out that Middle Eastern nations’ unity and involvement in legal efforts to resolve the conflict, together with the desire of Palestine and Israel to engage in talks, was "the key precondition for the relaunch of a comprehensive peace process in the Middle East."

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again after Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7. The Palestinian movement described its attack as a response to the actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on the Palestinian enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.