MOSCOW, November 24. /TASS/. Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov and Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip in a phone call.

"The current situation in the Middle East was touched upon with a focus on the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. Russia reaffirmed its firm position in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Lebanese Republic and the inadmissibility of the armed conflict between Palestine and Israel expanding to Lebanese territory," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Bogdanov and Mikati also discussed the development of traditionally friendly Russian-Lebanese relations, including regular political dialogue.

In addition, Bogdanov discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Suleiman Frangieh, chairman of Lebanon's Marada Movement party. "The inadmissibility of the armed conflict spreading to the territory of Lebanon, fraught with devastating consequences for the country and the region, was emphasized," the ministry added.

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.

A four-day ceasefire came into force in the Gaza Strip from 7:00 a.m. local time (5:00 a.m. GMT) on November 24.