Russia says Israeli ground offensive on Rafah ‘additional destabilizing factor’ for region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia said on Wednesday that Israel's ground offensive on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip is "another destabilizing factor" for the region, urging Tel Aviv to adhere to international humanitarian law.

"The start of Israel's ground military operation in Rafah, in southern Gaza, is an additional destabilizing factor, including for the entire region," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during a press briefing in Moscow.

Zakharova said about 1.5 million civilians are concentrated in the area and Moscow demands "strict compliance with the provisions of international humanitarian law."

She said Russia is actively working to free Russians and citizens of other countries stuck in Gaza.

Explaining Russia's position on the current situation in the region, she said Moscow seeks a conducive environment in which Palestinians and Israelis can begin a dialogue.

Reiterating that the outcome of this process should be the implementation of the two-state formula, she said the current worsening of the situation in the region showed the "tragic consequences" of attempts to "monopolize" mediation efforts.

“We truly believe it is necessary, not just possible, but essential, to provide humanitarian assistance to the residents of Gaza,” she added.

Since Monday, Rafah has been experiencing intensified Israeli airstrikes and shelling in all its areas, including residential areas.

The Israeli army on Tuesday started its invasion into the eastern area of Rafah under which the Israeli army stormed and occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, closing Gazan Palestinians' only gateway with the world.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas which killed about 1,200 people. More than 34,800 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and 78,100 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Over seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.​​​​​​​