Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that civilian casualties in Gaza could significantly increase and that the region is at risk of a full-scale war.
This warning came following conversations with his counterparts from Iran, Egypt, Syria, and the Palestinian Authority, as well as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, according to Kremlin statement.
These discussions occurred amidst escalating tensions in the region, primarily due to Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza in response to rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin would also speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Kremlin statement noted that all the leaders involved in these conversations called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian truce to provide urgent assistance to those in need.
Putin expressed his readiness to coordinate efforts with constructive partners to bring an end to hostilities and stabilize the situation promptly.
Additionally, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Pope Francis’ representative in the Holy Land, made a remarkable offer.
He expressed his readiness to exchange himself for Israeli children who had been taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
This offer was made in response to a question during a video conference with journalists in Italy.
“The first thing to do is to try to win the release of the hostages, otherwise there will be no way of stopping (an escalation). We are willing to help, even me personally,” he said.
It’s worth noting that around 200 individuals were taken hostage by Hamas in a recent weekend attack, with approximately a dozen of them believed to be children.