Bloodshed in Gaza to Stop if US Stop Supporting Israel: Lavrov
18:57 17.07.2024 (Updated: 19:35 17.07.2024)
© AP Photo / Miriam Alster / U.S. President Joe Biden, center left, pauses during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center right, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023
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UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian movement Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in more than 1,100 deaths, according to Israeli officials. In response, the Jewish state launched a military operation in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and tens of thousands of deaths, according to local authorities.
The United States is unable or unwilling to stop supporting Israel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday, adding that the bloodshed will stop if there is no US support.
"However, the US is either unwilling or unable to do so," Lavrov said at the UN Security Council session.
By supplying arms and ammunition, the US became directly involved in the conflict in the Middle East, "just like in the situation with Ukraine," Lavrov added.
It seems like Israel does not need any plan that includes reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict, the foreign minister noted.
"Israel doesn't need any plan with a hint of peace, we saw that again today," he said.
Russia’s proposal on organizing a meeting of external players that have influence on armed groups in the Gaza Strip is still in force, Minister Lavrov pointed out.
"Our proposal for a meeting of all external players who have influence over the various groups in Gaza and the West Bank and who can, if they speak with one voice, help overcome the divisions within the Palestinian factions, remains valid," he emphasized.
Russia supports the admission of Palestine to the United Nations in exactly the same way as it supported Israel joining the organization in 1949, the Russian diplomat highlighted.
"In 1949, we supported Israel's application for UN membership, provided that it implemented General Assembly resolutions 181 and 194 on the Partition Plan for Palestine and granted Palestinian refugees the right to return home. This was clearly stated when we voted for Israel's admission to the UN. Similarly, today we support the admission of Palestine, whose sovereignty has already been recognized by nearly 150 countries, to this world organization," Lavrov said.
As of June 2024, Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 145 of the 193 UN members. It has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012.
