'We believe that implementing such plans is extremely risky because it may lead to further degradation of the situation in occupied territories, with very serious negative consequences,' says Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman
Russia on Wednesday denounced Israel's plans to expand its military operation and occupy the entire Gaza Strip, warning that it would have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East region.
"We believe that implementing such plans is extremely risky because it may lead to further degradation of the situation in occupied territories, with very serious negative consequences both for Israel's own security and for the entire Middle East region," Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Alexey Fadeyev said in response to an Anadolu question at a press briefing in Moscow.
Fadeyev said that despite efforts by mediator countries, indirect contacts between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israeli authorities have produced no tangible results.
"Our immediate priority now is to prevent the complete destruction of Gaza and avoid an increase in civilian casualties. The only way to achieve these goals is through urgent agreement on a ceasefire," he stressed.
The official also urged both sides to urgently find mutually acceptable solutions and transition to a sustainable cessation-of-fire regime, noting that doing so would allow for practical steps toward long-term resolution of the Palestinian issue based on the well-known two-state international legal framework.
Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its genocidal war on Gaza, where it has killed nearly 61,600 victims since October 2023.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
