Putin discussed the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip with the heads of Middle Eastern countries

President Vladimir Putin today, October 16, held telephone conversations regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with the heads of Middle Eastern states. Following conversations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, all politicians stated the need to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

According to message Kremlin press service, during conversations Vladimir Putin “stressed the unacceptability of any forms of violence against civilians” and also stated Russia’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance.

“In the conversation with the President of Egypt, issues of assistance from the Egyptian side in the evacuation of citizens of Russia and CIS countries from the Gaza Strip were also raised,” the press service said in a statement.

Earlier today, October 16, it became knownthat Russia has submitted a draft resolution on humanitarian issues to the UN Security Council amid the crisis in the Gaza Strip. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by military operations, as well as to cooperate with all “constructively minded” partners.

Today, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Ben Zvi statedthat the Israeli side has resumed water supplies to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The day before, US Presidential National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced the restoration of water. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip on October 9, the day before he announced a cutoff in electricity supplies. Israel currently does not supply food, medicine or fuel to the Gaza Strip.

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov at today’s meeting reported Vladimir Putin that the government is making every effort to get Russians out of the conflict zone. On October 10, it became known that hundreds of Russians submitted requests to the Russian embassy in Israel to evacuate from Israeli territory; about 280 Russians asked to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip. On the evening of the same day, Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said that the evacuation of Russians from the conflict zone was “premature”, and there were 15 direct flights from Tel Aviv to Russian cities. He noted that “tickets are not cheap,” but they have become more expensive not because of the escalation of the conflict, but “for other reasons known to us.”

Read more about the conflict in the Kommersant publication. “The Palestinians were sent south”.