MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia and Algeria share the opinion that there is no alterative to peaceful settlement of conflicts and crisis situation in the Middle East and Africa, the Russian foreign ministry said after a meeting between Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

"The sides discussed international and regional topics of mutual interest and noted the similarity of Russia and Algeria’s principled approaches that there are no alternatives to peaceful settlements of numerous conflicts and crisis situations in the Middle Easy and African continent in line with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter," it said.

The sides also discussed ways of strengthening comprehensive ties between the two countries, which "are developing in the spirit of close strategic partnership," the ministry noted. "They reiterated Moscow and Algiers’ commitment to a regular and trust-based dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade-and-economic, energy, investment, and cultural-and-humanitarian areas."

Situation in the Middle East

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel. Tehran said that military facilities in Israel were targeted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it intercepted 99% of the nearly 300 projectiles launched at Israel. Israel did not report any fatalities or serious injuries, saying minor damage had been caused to Nevatim Air Base.