MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Lebanese Ambassador to Moscow Chawki Bou Nassar have discussed the volatile situation in the south of the republic amid the sharp escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"During the conversation there was an in-depth exchange of views on what was going on in the Middle East in the context of the sharp aggravation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Particular attention in this context was paid to the volatile situation in southern Lebanon. The Russian side once again emphasized the inadmissibility of escalation and the involvement of the states of the region in it. The need to intensify multilateral efforts in the interests of achieving a lasting and comprehensive Middle East settlement on the existing international legal basis was emphasized," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

As the Foreign Ministry noted, the sides also touched upon topical issues of "further strengthening Russian-Lebanese multifaceted ties." "In the presence of Ambassador Chawki Bou Nassar, Mikhail Bogdanov had a telephone conversation with the historical leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon Walid Jumblatt," the ministry added.

Situation in the Gaza Strip

On November 22, Hamas reported that it had reached a four-day agreement with Israel, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, on a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip. The agreements envision the release of 50 women held in the enclave, as well as children and teenagers, in exchange for the release of 150 women and children from Israeli prisons. Earlier, the head of Israel's National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that the process of releasing some of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip will not begin until November 24. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Ansari said on Thursday morning that the time when the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will come into effect will be announced in the coming hours.

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. 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.