Russian, Palestinian diplomats coordinate positions on Gaza conflict

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin on Thursday coordinated positions on the situation in Gaza with Palestinian Ambassador Abdel Hafiz Nofal at a meeting in Moscow.

The current situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone was the primary focus of the conversation, with an emphasis on developments in the Gaza Strip and a range of related issues discussed at the UN platform in New York, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Some practical aspects of the bilateral agenda were also discussed. The importance of further strengthening the traditionally friendly Russian-Palestinian relations, including deepening political dialogue on international and regional issues of mutual interest, was confirmed," the statement added.

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been in place since Oct. 10, but Israel continues to violate it daily, causing hundreds of Palestinian casualties and restricting the entry of food and medical supplies.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 69,000 people, mostly women and children, injured over 170,700 others, and left the enclave uninhabitable.