Russia-Arab ministers have “strongly condemned the Israeli aggressive war” on Palestinians in Gaza and rejected justifying it as self-defence, according to a final communique by the Russia-Arab Cooperation forum.

Reuters reports they stressed the need to guarantee the safety and security of maritime traffic in the Gulf and the Red Sea.

The ministers condemned “acts that target the security and safety of maritime traffic and facilities, energy supplies, oil pipelines and facilities”, they said after the forum was held in Marrakech.