MOSCOW, July 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s top diplomat has said the beginning of Israel’s ground operation in the Gaza Strip arouses the deepest concern due to further development of events.

“We realise what it is worth for Israelis. We also realise that it is important to prevent escalating violence,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Rossiya24 TV Channel on Friday.

“We actively support Egypt’s initiative. We believe that it is not late for the Hamas movement and other radical groups to react to the initiative,” he said.