MOSCOW: Russia on Monday called for “collective action” to end ongoing crisis in the Middle East, including an international conference, almost a month into the unrest that has left thousands dead.

Russia has also repeatedly criticised Western policies in the Middle East. Moscow maintains ties with both Hamas and Israel and has said it can mediate the unrest.

“Against the backdrop of the unprecedented escalation of violence in the zone of the Palestinian-Israel conflict there are more and more calls for collective action to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.

It said Moscow “actively supports” such calls and that it was in favour of a “multilateral approach” in regulating the ongoing crisis.

President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow can play a mediating role in the ongoing unrest, but officials have so far reached no breakthrough on freeing prisoners or ending Israeli aggression.

Moscow launched efforts to try to free more than 200 prisoners held by Hamas. Eight Russian citizens are believed to be among them.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2023