Russia calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza under Egypt's initiative — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, July 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's Foreign Ministry has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza under Egypt's initiative. "The events in Gaza arouse growing concern. We condemn the death of innocent people, primarily children, during the attack on the UN school in Beit-Hanoun," the ministry said on Friday. Humanitarian truce should be announced in Gaza during the Muslim feast of the Eid al-Fitr, which signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday. The week-long Eid al-Fitr starts on Monday, July 28. Israel does not seek control over Gaza Israel does not intend to take over Gazaupon completion of Operation Protective Edge, Israeli deputy ambassador to Russia Olga Slov said on Friday. “Israel left Gaza not to return there,” she said. The purpose of Operation Protective Edge “is to take measures for destroying the Hamas terrorism infrastructure in Gaza”, Slov said. In addition, she said, “Gaza’s demilitarization will help resume talks on the settlement based on the principles of the two states.” “It is difficult to say how it can be achieved. I believe that the global community will be able to put forth proposals for solving this problem,” Slov said.