Russia has called on Israel to lift its three-year blockade on Gaza and make steps towards easing the humanitarian situation in the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave, the Foreign Ministry said.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza when Hamas seized power in the strip in June 2007. Tel Aviv has been under increasing international pressure to end the blockade after Israeli commandos stormed an international convoy carrying aid to Gaza last month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the statement during a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday, the ministry said.
"[The Russian foreign minister] stressed the necessity for Israel to swiftly end its blockade on Gaza and make real steps towards easing the humanitarian situation," the ministry said in a statement.
Lavrov also said joint efforts must be taken to promote the Middle East negotiation process that will "guarantee peace, stability and security for Israel and all the countries and peoples of the Middle East."
MOSCOW, June 21 (RIA Novosti)
