New york: Russia on Thursday condemned Israel's plans to occupy the Gaza Strip, calling it a "very bad step" and a violation of UN decisions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I think that our position is quite clear, as it is similar to the position of everybody in the Security Council," said Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York. "We think that this is a very bad step in an absolutely wrong direction, and we condemn this kind of action," he added.
According to Anadolu Agency, Moscow opposes such plans, with Polyanskiy emphasizing that Russia has been against these plans from the outset, as they contradict all UN resolutions on the Palestine-Israeli conflict. He reiterated that the only viable solution would be a two-state solution, which has been reaffirmed multiple times, including at a recent conference in New York that produced significant decisions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a phased plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip during a high-stakes Security Cabinet meeting late Thursday, as reported by local media. The public broadcaster KAN, citing unnamed official sources, disclosed that Netanyahu proposed a 'light' and 'gradual' strategy during one of the most sensitive meetings since the Gaza war began.
The plan reportedly involves Israeli forces advancing into new areas, including Hamas training camps in central Gaza and Gaza City. This move comes despite warnings from army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The strategy begins with displacing Gaza City's residents to the south, followed by encircling the city and launching further ground incursions into densely populated areas, according to KAN sources.
Israel has faced increasing outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 61,200 people since October 2023. The military campaign has left the enclave devastated and on the brink of famine. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.