Russia's Foreign Ministry Opposes Collective Punishment of Palestinians: Lavrov

Russia emphasizes that those responsible for the terrorist attack against Israel in October 2023 should be punished; however, Moscow opposes collective punishment. This was stated by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Lavrov expressed Russia's position during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi. He stated, “We start from the fact that those responsible for organizing and carrying out this terrorist attack must be punished in the most stringent way, but we cannot accept collective punishment for all Palestinians.”

On August 8, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish control of the Israeli Defense Forces over the Gaza Strip. On October 7, 2023, Israel faced a massive rocket attack from Gaza, and members of the Hamas group infiltrated border areas, taking hundreds of hostages.

Previously, nearly one million people participated in protests throughout Israel, calling for an end to the war in Gaza.