Putin claims escalation in Mideast ‘clear example’ of failure of US policy in region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday claimed the recent escalation of the situation in the Middle East is a “clear example” of the failure of US policy in the region.

“Unfortunately, we see a sharp escalation of the situation in the Middle East. I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the failure of the policy of the United States in the Middle East,” Putin said ahead of a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Moscow.

Putin went on to argue that the US tried to monopolize settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict and was focused on promoting its own ideas and putting pressure on both sides rather than finding acceptable compromises.

He also claimed that Washington’s actions failed to take into account the “fundamental interests of the Palestinian people.”

“I mean, first of all, the need to implement the decisions of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state,” Putin added.

The US has long advocated a two-state solution which includes a viable Israel and Palestine.

Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early on Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the surprise attack was in response to the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 765, including at least 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to over 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.