Putin calls for Israeli- Palestinian talks

AFP :
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian forces and hoped the war would not expand.

Thousands have died over the last five days after Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, which responded with a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip which Hamas rules.

“It is necessary to avoid the expansion of the conflict at all cost, because if it happens it will have an impact on the international situation,” Putin said.

Parties “need to return to a negotiation process that should be acceptable to all sides, including to the Palestinians.”

He also said it was “necessary to engage in diplomacy rather than with the military side (of the conflict) to find solutions to stop the fighting.”

Russia has over the years maintained friendly relations with both Palestinians and Israeli authorities-though ties with Jerusalem have been strained by Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.