MOSCOW, December 28. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has reiterated, at a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal, that Moscow stands ready to continue its urgent efforts aimed at bringing an end as soon as possible to the ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.

"During the conversation, the sides focused on the emerging situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, highlighting the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Russia reaffirmed its readiness to continue robust efforts in the interests of an early cessation of bloodshed, as well as the unification of all Palestinian political forces on the platform of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization - TASS)" the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Russian side also stressed "the focus on further humanitarian assistance to the suffering residents of the Palestinian enclave." "Moscow's unchangeable position in support of a just settlement of the Palestinian problem on a known international legal basis, providing for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security with Israel, was noted," the ministry added.

The meeting was held at the Palestinian side's initiative.