The latest armed clash comes three days after Israel intensified military operations in the Palestinian border city of Beit Hanoun, when a group of Palestinians hiding in a mosque opened fire on Israeli troops, who then surrounded the building Wednesday night. Israel claims the Palestinians are wanted militants.
Mikhail Kamynin said both sides should give up violence, prevent all terrorist attacks and return to a search for diplomatic means of conflict resolution.
"Only in this way can we overcome a new dangerous spiral of confrontation, protect the peaceful citizens of Israel and the Palestinian territories from more sorrow, and lay the foundation for a resumption of the negotiating process," Kamynin said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that according to its information, military operations are continuing in Beit Hanoun involving aviation and mechanized ground forces. The city is besieged and Israel has cut all transportation links and deliveries of water and medicine to the city.
"The continuing Israeli military intrusion into the Palestinian territories cannot but raise deep regret," the spokesman said. "People die, peaceful citizens are in direct danger, and the humanitarian situation keeps worsening as a result of the Israeli bombing."
"At the same time, the prime aim of the military operation, which was to put an end to the bombing of Israeli territory by militants firing Qassam rockets, has not been accomplished and cannot be accomplished by military means," he said.
Israel claims it began its latest military operation in response to the firing by Palestinian militants of Qassam rockets into the northern Gaza town of Jabalaya.
