MOSCOW, December 31 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke in favour of rallying the Palestinian forces, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after a telephone conversation between the Russian foreign minister and head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic movement Hamas Khaled Mashaal on Wednesday. The sides discussed in detail a sharply deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip after Israel had launched a large-scale military operation.

“Sergei Lavrov stressed the need for an immediate mutual ceasefire and expressed profound concerns over a dramatic humanitarian situation emerging in the Gaza Strip. Lavrov informed Mashaal about Russia’s plans to send humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip soon,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“In reply to an address of the Russian minister Mashaal stated about his readiness to stop the armed confrontation, but along with lifting the blockade from the Gaza Strip. The Hamas leader outlined the movement’s position on resuming the dialogue within inter-Palestinian reconciliation efforts,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. He also thanked for additional humanitarian supplies and pledged to give the possible assistance in the evacuation of citizens from Russia and CIS states from the Gaza Strip, noting, “the conditions of the Gaza Strip blockade and the Israeli armed attack complicate the situation.”