Moscow [Russia], November 16 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call, the Kremlin said.
“A thorough exchange of views took place concerning the situation in the Middle Eastern region, including developments in the Gaza Strip in the context of implementing the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detained persons, the status quo around Iran’s nuclear program, and issues related to contributing towards further stabilization in Syria,” the Kremlin said in a statement, according to TASS. The phone call occurred on Saturday, Russian state media reported.
On October 6, delegations from Israel and Hamas resumed indirect negotiations to resolve the conflict in Gaza, with Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Turkey acting as mediators. On October 9, the parties signed an agreement to implement the first phase of the peace plan previously presented by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire agreement entered into force on October 10, including the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also calls for the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
The United States has proposed a UN Security Council resolution to back President Trump’s plan for Gaza, with a vote scheduled for November 17. According to The Times of Israel, which obtained a draft last week, the resolution incorporates the entirety of Trump’s 20-point plan, which Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed during a joint press conference in September.
The US draft authorizes member states to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) through 2027. The force is tasked with protecting civilians, securing humanitarian corridors, decommissioning weapons from non-state armed groups, and coordinating with Israel, Egypt, and the newly trained Palestinian police. Countries willing to contribute troops have stated that a UN resolution is required to formalize the mandate.
The Russian Permanent Mission to the UN said on Friday that Moscow had prepared an alternative draft UNSC resolution on Gaza. Russia’s draft calls on the UN Secretary-General to prepare a report for the Security Council with options for implementing relevant provisions of Trump’s plan.
“UNSC resolutions are supposed to reflect the universally recognized international legal framework and reaffirm fundamental decisions and principles, first and foremost the two-State solution for the Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Unfortunately, these provisions were not given due regard in the US draft. In this context, the Russian Federation felt obliged to propose an alternative draft UNSC resolution on achieving sustainable peace in the Gaza Strip,” the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN said, according to TASS. (ANI)
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