Russia calls on Palestine, Israel for ‘immediate cease-fire’

By Dmitri Chirciu

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia on Saturday called on Palestine and Israel for an “immediate cease-fire” as fighting continued after an offensive by Palestinian group Hamas.

“We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to immediately cease fire, renounce violence, show the necessary restraint,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Hamas launched on Saturday Operation Al Aqsa Flood, saying its surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while Israeli authorities put their death toll at 250.