Russia is ready to increase its humanitarian assistance to the residents of the Gaza Strip, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin declared on Friday.
In a statement to the Russian news agency Sputnik, Vershinin emphasized Moscow’s ongoing commitment to supporting Gaza, especially amid escalating conflicts in the region.
“We are already providing humanitarian aid and are prepared to expand these efforts,” Vershinin stated.
He highlighted the necessity of a ceasefire for effective aid delivery, a stance Russia has advocated since the onset of the crisis.
“Humanitarian aid can be effectively implemented if there is a ceasefire,” he remarked, echoing concerns voiced by international humanitarian agencies that aid cannot reach those most in need without cessation of hostilities.
The call for a ceasefire comes in the wake of intensified military operations by Israel following Hamas’s initiation of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7, 2023.
This operation saw thousands of rockets fired from Gaza into Israel and attacks on Israeli towns bordering the strip, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the capture of about 250 others.
In response, Israel officially declared war on Gaza, initiating a campaign that involved destructive airstrikes followed by ground operations within the strip.
According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, these military actions have led to over 35,000 deaths and more than 79,000 injuries since last October.
During the conflict, a seven-day truce facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States allowed for the exchange of prisoners, including women and children, and the delivery of aid supplies into Gaza.
This brief ceasefire underscores the complex and ongoing nature of the conflict, as well as the critical role of international mediation and humanitarian assistance.
