Russian foreign minister discusses Gaza with ambassadors of Arab League states

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday discussed the situation in Gaza Strip, which is under Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, with the ambassadors of Arab League member states.

Lavrov said Russia stands for a cease-fire, protection of civilians, their evacuation from the Gaza Strip, opening of humanitarian corridors, and return of hostages.

"The minister informed the Arab ambassadors about the steps taken by our country in the UN Security Council aimed at ending the bloodshed and turning the situation into a political and diplomatic channel," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian top diplomat urged to boost international efforts aimed at restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process based on the UN resolutions and Arab peace initiative in order to create an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders with the capital in East Jerusalem.

For their part, representatives of the Arab diplomatic corps opposed the confrontational position taken by Western countries and reiterated support to the two-state solution, emphasizing the need to form a collective mediation mechanism with a leading role of Middle Eastern states.

All sides praised efforts by Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al Sisi for the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and organizing the Cairo Peace summit, the statement said.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas.

Besides a large number of casualties, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million people in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas and "that will not happen."