MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Russia shares the assessments of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States (LAS) on the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this initiative. I consider it very important. This is a further step after the summit convened by the Egyptian president [Abdel Fattah al-Sisi] on November 4 and the summit <…> in Riyadh on November 11. We share the assessments that were made during these forums," he said at a meeting with top diplomats from a number of LAS and OIC countries.

Lavrov pointed out in this regard that the Russian side has repeatedly stated its position on the conflict, and also noted that "immediately after the beginning of the current acute phase of the conflict, after the events of October 7," Russian President Vladimir Putin held telephone conversations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a number of Arab heads of state. "Well, I, for my part, am in constant contact with my colleagues, including those present here," the top Russian diplomat emphasized.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.