‘We are Shocked’: Russia Calls for Observance of Humanitarian Law in Gaza

November 2, 2023 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova. (Photo: MFA Russia, via Twitter)

“We are shocked by the reports about the deaths of a large number of civilians as a result of Israeli air bombardment of a refugee camp in the town of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip,” Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

Russia deems it necessary to observe the norms of international humanitarian law and reiterates the unacceptability of violent actions against peaceful citizens, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday, commenting on the massacre carried out by Israeli forces i the Jabalia refugee camp last Tuesday. 

“We are shocked by the reports about the deaths of a large number of civilians as a result of Israeli air bombardment of a refugee camp in the town of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian side, at least 400 people fell victim to these strikes,” Zakharova said.

“We once again remind all parties involved of the need to comply with the norms of international humanitarian law, and of the unacceptability of any violent actions against civilians, strikes on residential buildings and civilian infrastructure,” the diplomat pointed out.

In addition, she said, Moscow reaffirms its “principled position in favor of an immediate long-term ceasefire, the establishment of sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, the provision of necessary assistance to all those in need and the release of hostages.” 

“It is precisely this approach, aimed at alleviating suffering and minimizing civilian casualties, that formed the basis of the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on October 27.”

“We believe it is necessary to continue intensive work for the earliest de-escalation of the current situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone based on the position of the majority within the international community,” Zakharova concluded.

Israel has, thus far, killed over 9,061 Palestinians in Gaza, including nearly 4,000 children, and wounded more than 32,000. Palestinian Ministry of Health reports and international organizations say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.

Despite a massive Israeli military buildup around the Gaza borders and sporadic infiltrations on the outskirts of the besieged Strip, Palestinian Resistance continues to repel Israeli attacks.

To justify its military failure, the Israeli army continues to pound civilian homes throughout the Gaza Strip with new massacres reported everywhere in the besieged enclave.

Gaza has been under a tight Israeli military siege since 2007, following a democratic election in occupied Palestine, the results of which were rejected by Tel Aviv and Washington. 

(PC, TASS)