The minister recalled the need to solve urgent problems: cessation of hostilities, resolution of humanitarian issues, release of hostages.

“At the same time as solving these urgent problems, it is necessary not only not to lose sight of issues of a strategic nature, but to begin now to create conditions for their solution. I mean, first of all, preparations for the restart of the peace process on the internationally recognized basis that was approved within the framework of UNArab peace initiative of 2002, … which involve the creation of an independent integral sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of 1967,” Lavrov said at a meeting with a delegation of the joint committee of the Arab League and the OIC.

On Tuesday, Lavrov is meeting in Moscow with members of the delegation of the joint committee of the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which includes the heads of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine and the OIC Secretary General.

Their delegation at the negotiations in Moscow, according to RIA Novosti, was headed by Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.

On October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of what was announced by the military wing of the Palestinian movement. Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. After this, the organization’s fighters entered the border areas in southern Israel, where they opened fire on both military and civilians, and also took hostages. In Israel, according to local authorities, more than 1.4 thousand people were killed, including 300 military personnel, and more than 5 thousand were injured.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Within a few days, the Israeli military took control of all populated areas near the border with Gaza and began carrying out air strikes on targets, including civilians, in the strip. Israel also announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel was stopped.

The number of victims in the Gaza Strip, according to the local Ministry of Health, exceeded 6.5 thousand people, over 17 thousand were injured. As the conflict escalates, at least 20 Russians have died, three are believed to be hostages, and several more remain missing. According to various sources, more than 200 Israelis are held captive by Hamas.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop hostilities. According to the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the settlement of the Middle East crisis is possible only on the basis of a “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, which provides for the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, related to the territorial interests of the parties, has been a source of tension and fighting in the region for many decades. A UN decision with the active role of the USSR in 1947 determined the creation of two states – Israel and Palestine, but only the Israeli one was created.