On the Growth of Tension around the Gaza Strip

PRESS RELEASE

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have repeatedly fired rockets at Sderot in southern Israel during the last few days, according to incoming reports. Israeli army units responded with airstrikes on different areas in Gaza, killing one Palestinian and destroying workshops where Israeli sources claim rockets were made. On the Israeli side one person was injured; there is no destruction.

Moscow is seriously concerned by the new spiral of violence. It is necessary to stop rocket attacks and violence immediately, providing security for the Israeli and Palestinian civilian population. As is known, the Middle East Quartet and the UN Security Council spoke firmly on that score in their ministerial meetings at New York a few days ago.

The new escalation of tension suits only those who are trying to wreck the hard-won political process and destabilize further the situation in the region. The road of force leads nowhere, as it destroys the atmosphere of dialogue and adds to enmity and mutual rejection. Today everything possible should be done to preserve the ceasefire regime on the Gaza Strip border, creating a proper favorable background for continued contacts in the interests of a peaceful settlement of existing problems.

December 18, 2008