Putin warns of Middle East spiralling toward full-scale war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning, saying the Middle East is on the verge of a full-scale war.

Speaking at a BRICS Plus meeting, he compared the escalating conflict to a chain reaction that is quickly spreading across the region, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The hostilities that started a year ago in Gaza have now extended to Lebanon, and other countries are being drawn in. Tensions between Israel and Iran have sharply escalated," Putin stated. "This situation is dangerously close to a full-scale war in the Middle East."

Putin also highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation, noting that the number of refugees and displaced persons has surpassed 1.5 million. He added that the destruction of infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and other social facilities, continues to worsen.

In related developments, more than 20,000 people have fled Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip after the Hamas blockade was breached on October 22. Among the evacuees, militants from various factions attempted to blend in with civilians but were intercepted by Israeli forces, with around 150 individuals apprehended.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they are "breaking the Hamas siege on Jabaliya" by facilitating civilian evacuations through organized routes for safety.

Meanwhile, the IDF launched major airstrikes on Tyre, a city in southern Lebanon, after ordering its residents to evacuate. Israeli air raids also continued in Gaza, with a staff member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported killed in one of the strikes.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that since October 7, at least 42,792 people have been killed and over 100,000 injured in Gaza due to Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, 1,139 Israelis were killed and more than 200 taken captive during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

By Tamilla Hasanova