VIENNA, December 24 /TASS/. Palestine appreciates the position of Russia concerning the need for the ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, Palestinian Ambassador to Austria and permanent observer to the United Nations in Vienna Salah Abdel-Shafi told TASS.

"The Russian position from the day one was very clear. Russia has been calling and supporting all the calls for immediate ceasefire, to put an end to hostilities and, you know, to ease access for humanitarian organizations to Gaza. We very much appreciate the Russia’s role in this sense," the diplomat said.

The UN Security Council approved earlier a draft resolution prepared by Arab states, which is aimed at easing deliveries of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.