Russia has called Israel to end its military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, asking all sides for an immediate ceasefire.
On Tuesday, during a meeting on Gaza, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council members that Russia demands ” Israel halt the operation and Rafah, we also call upon all parties to immediately unconditionally cease-fire, release hostages and the detained Palestinians.”
Nebenzia stated that now is the moment to consider how to prevent the war from escalating further.
He criticized the recently adopted Security Council resolution, which includes a phased ceasefire plan for Gaza, as “not serious,” according to Russian news agency Sputnik.
The UN Security Council, in mid-June, endorsed a US-backed resolution outlining a step-by-step plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, a plan that was initially proposed by President Joe Biden.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been marked by periodic escalations of violence, primarily between Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups.
Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, has often been a focal point of military operations due to its strategic location and the presence of smuggling tunnels used by militants.
