MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and UAE Ambassador to Moscow Mohammed Ahmed Sultan Essa Al Jaber discussed the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip at a meeting, according to a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

"There was <...> an exchange of views on key topics of the Middle East agenda with a focus on the unprecedented aggravation of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," the ministry pointed out.

According to the press service, the parties discussed "topical issues of further progressive development of friendly Russian-Emirati relations, including the schedule of forthcoming bilateral contacts."

The meeting was held at the request of the UAE ambassador.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking more than 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.