Israeli Bombing of Gaza is against International Law: Russia

Image Source: Al-Jazeera

Russia's comments come at a time when Hamas is trying to find eight Russian-Israeli citizens held hostage during an attack on Israel.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Israel's bombing of Gaza is against international law and threatens a catastrophe that could last for decades.

Lavrov gave the interview, one of Moscow's most critical of Israel yet, to Belarus' state news agency Belta, which released it on Saturday.

"While we condemn terrorism, we categorically disagree that you can respond to terrorism in violation of the principles of international humanitarian law, including those aimed at "Indiscriminate use of force against civilians, including hostages," he said.

He added that it was impossible to destroy Hamas – as Israel has promised to do – without destroying Gaza, including most of its civilian population.

Lavrov warned that "if Gaza is destroyed and its two million residents expelled, as some politicians in Israel and abroad are proposing, it will be a disaster for decades, if not centuries." will lead to."

"This must be stopped, and humanitarian programs announced to protect the population under the blockade."

He added that it was impossible to destroy Hamas – as Israel has promised to do – without destroying Gaza, including most of its civilian population.

"It is important to stop, and announce humanitarian programs to protect the population under the blockade

be done."

Moscow gave Hamas a list of names and requested their release. "We pay a lot of attention to this list and we will handle it carefully because we see Russia as our closest friend," the Russian news agency RIA quoted senior Hamas representative Musa Abu Marzouq as saying. "

“Now, we're looking

r those people. It is difficult, but we are looking. And as soon as we find them, we will release them. Despite the difficulties caused by the current situation.

Israel has said it believes Hamas took 229 hostages during the Oct. 7 attack, which killed more than 1,400. Israel has since continued to bomb Gaza, killing more than 7,300 Palestinians in the strip.

Russia believes it is important to maintain contacts with all sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Kremlin said on Friday, defending its decision to invite the Hamas delegation that invited Marzouq to Moscow - this The decision sparked Israeli outrage.

Israel on Thursday urged Russia to expel visiting Hamas members, calling Moscow's invitation "deplorable".

Lavrov said that Russia is also in close contact with Israel.

"We are in full contact with Israel, and our ambassador is in regular contact with them," Lavrov said.

"We are sending signals about the need to find a peaceful solution and not follow this declared 'scorched earth' strategy."

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of bombing civilians in Ukraine. Moscow says it does not deliberately target civilians and only targets military targets.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)