Hamas spokesman: Russia can play key role in Middle East settlement

The Palestinian movement Hamas believes that Russia can play a key role in ending the military escalation in the Middle East, which occurred due to Israeli aggression, Ali Baraka, head of the Hamas National Bureau for Foreign Relations, told TASS.

"The Hamas movement has great trust in Russia and its President Vladimir Putin, so we will welcome Russian mediation in resolving the conflict," he said. - "We are interested in an early end to the suffering of civilians due to Israeli bombardment and the brutal blockade of the Gaza Strip".

The agency interlocutor noted that the movement's leadership maintains constant contact with the Russian side. "We are ready for possible meetings with Russian diplomats in an Arab country and welcome their efforts," he said.

According to the Hamas spokesman, the Palestinians appreciate Putin's stance. "We follow the Russian leader's speeches in which he assesses the events taking place in the region," Baraka noted. - We see Russia as a power that defends international legitimacy and seeks justice for the oppressed."

As the interlocutor stressed, "For the Palestinians, Russia's voice in their defence and Moscow's demands for an end to aggression, the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip and the resumption of humanitarian aid are very important."

Earlier, Vladimir Putin said that Israel has been severely attacked, but the conflict can be resolved only through the creation of independent Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem.

He noted that Russia proceeds from the assumption that there is no alternative to resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict through negotiations.

"Their goal should be the implementation of the UN 'two-state' solution, which envisages the creation of independent Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem, coexisting in peace and security with Israel, which, of course, we also see this, was subjected to an attack unprecedented in its cruelty and, of course, has the right to protection, to ensure its peaceful existence,” President Putin said, emphasising that “this issue should be resolved peacefully".

"In this situation, I think that there is simply no alternative [to two independent countries]," the Russian leader added.