The Kremlin called any efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip positive
Russia welcomes any attempts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing on January 16.
"Any settlement that leads to a ceasefire and an end to the suffering of the people in Gaza, that adds security to Israel, can only be welcomed," he told reporters.
Peskov, meanwhile, urged to wait for the finalization of the process on Tel Aviv's ceasefire deal with the Palestinian Hamas movement. He also recalled that Moscow did not participate in these negotiations.
Earlier in the day, Al Jazeera TV channel reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a massive strike on the Gaza Strip after reaching an agreement with Hamas. It is specified that at least 30 Palestinians were killed as a result.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel became known the day before. It is expected to begin operating on January 19. In the first phase, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the hostages' release will take place over at least several weeks. On the same day, the IDF said that the Israeli army is preparing to receive the freed hostages.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog called the agreement a correct and necessary step. He said Israeli authorities will seek the return of all captives. UN Secretary General António Guterres also supported the deal and expressed readiness to assist in its implementation.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.
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