MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths touched upon the humanitarian crises in the Middle East, including in the Gaza Strip, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website following the meeting held on December 14.

"They exchanged views on humanitarian crises, focusing on the Middle East countries. The interlocutors discussed in detail the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, primarily in the Gaza Strip," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the two diplomats indicated "the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to ensure unimpeded and safe humanitarian access to those in need and to protect civilians."

"Furthermore, they considered the tasks of providing comprehensive humanitarian assistance to Syria in accordance with the guidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution 46/182 and of organizing emergency relief operations in Sudan," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory on October 7, when many Israelis living in the settlements near the border were killed and over 200 people, including children, women and the elderly, were taken hostage. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.