MARRAKECH, December 21. /TASS/. The foreign ministers of Russia and Arab countries, who took part in the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, held in Marrakech, called for the early convening of an international peace conference on the Palestinian problem.

"[The ministers] call for the convening of an international peace conference, as soon as possible, from which a credible peace process will be launched on the basis of international law," according to the joint declaration.

The participants of the session agreed that "peace and regional stability will only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation and giving the Palestinian people their full rights."

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.