On 7 June, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, held a telephone conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Y. Katz.
An exchange of views was held on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. In the light of the ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, the escalation of tension in the West Bank of the Jordan River and in the Israeli-Lebanese border area, the Russian side stressed the need for an early cessation of hostilities and for ensuring appropriate conditions for the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to all those in need.
Particular attention was paid to the issue of the release of Russian citizens held in the Gaza Strip. The importance of continuing energetic efforts to rescue all hostages was reaffirmed.
The Ministers also discussed some topical issues on the bilateral agenda.
