Russia stressed that a comprehensive diplomatic settlement is the only way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, describing the situation in the Gaza Strip as a catastrophe.

During a UN Security Council session devoted to discussing the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said:"Russia expresses its deep sorrow for all innocent victims who have fallen in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity."

The Russian delegate emphasized: "It is unacceptable to differentiate between the suffering of the victims. They all deserve solidarity and humanitarian attention equally, whether they are detained Israelis or Palestinian civilians who have been living for nearly 670 days under almost daily Israeli bombardment. Since October 2023, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed, including, according to UNICEF data, more than 18,000 children."

Polyansky stressed that, in light of these facts, the general situation in the Gaza Strip can only be described as a humanitarian catastrophe in every sense of the word, noting that it is a catastrophe that not only affects the residents of the Strip, but also affects the fate of the Israeli hostages held there.

The Russian diplomat pointed out that the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since last March remains in effect, despite Tel Aviv's denials. He affirmed Moscow's full support for calls by the leadership of UNRWA and other relevant UN agencies to lift all obstacles to the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, including food, water, fuel, and medicine.