Russia Blames US' 'Destructive Approach' Behind Israel-Palestine War. Condemns Violence In Tel Aviv, Gaza

Russia said it was "extremely concerned" over violence in Israel and Palestine adding that the violence could extend into a broader conflict in the Middle East

Russia condemned violence in Israel and Palestine

Source : Getty Images

Russia on Monday condemned the violence in Israel and Palestine in the aftermath of surprise attacks by Hamas on southern and central Israel but also criticised the United States for its “destructive approach” which had ignored the need for an independent Palestine state. Israeli troops pounded Gaza after Hamas went on a rampage in Israeli towns escaping with hostages. 

The Kremlin called for peace and said it was "extremely concerned" that the violence could extend into a broader conflict in the Middle East, reported Reuters. 

Russia, which has ties with Arab countries, Iran and Hamas as well as Israel, said that the West had ignored the need for an independent Palestine state within the 1967 border. 

Condemning the violence, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the West was shortsighted if it believed it could simply condemn the attacks on Israel and hope for Israeli victory without solving the cause of instability - the Palestinian problem itself.

"I cannot but fail to mention the destructive policy of the United States which thwarts collective efforts within the framework of the Quartet of international mediators," Lavrov told reporters after talks in Moscow with Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

He said that the US had sought to "monopolise" dialogues between Palestinians and Israelis and move away from the creation of a Palestinian state in favour of talks about easing the social-economic problems of Palestinians.

On Monday, Hamas issued a dire warning declaring its intention to execute Israeli hostages in response to what it claims are indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas in the Gaza Strip. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, conveyed this menacing message in an audio statement released on Monday evening, news agency Associated Press reported. 

Reacting to the warning an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson on Tuesday stated that killing hostages "will not make things better."

So far over 1,300 people have been killed in the violence with around 700 Israelis and over 400 Palestinians.