The Kremlin on Tuesday, October 24, brushed off suggestions that Israel was disappointed with Russia’s response to its war with Hamas and reiterated its call for both sides to agree a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity and to work for a peace settlement.
The Kremlin on Tuesday, October 24, brushed off suggestions that Israel was disappointed with Russia’s response to its war with Hamas and reiterated its call for both sides to agree a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity and to work for a peace settlement.
Since the latest crisis erupted, Moscow has emphasised its relationships with both Israel and the Palestinians, including the Hamas group that controls Gaza, while seeking to portray the conflict as a failure of U.S. diplomacy.
In the context of reports of Israeli disappointment with Moscow’s stance, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “We have a regular and intensive dialogue with the Israeli side, we regularly exchange opinions.”
“Russia’s position is very consistent, it has been repeatedly expressed by President (Vladimir) Putin – we condemn all manifestations of terrorism, we extend condolences to all the relatives and families of the victims.”
Peskov, speaking in a regular call with reporters, added that Russia supported “a ceasefire as soon as possible” and efforts to secure peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Thousands of people in Gaza have been killed during heavy daily Israeli bombardment since Hamas militants on October 7 mounted an assault inside Israeli towns and kibbutzim that killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians.
Russia has long criticised what it says is the U.S. marginalisation of the Palestinians and has also been forging closer political and security ties with Israel’s arch foe Iran, especially since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
