Elena Teslova
14 February 2025•Update: 14 February 2025
MOSCOW
The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale and consequences, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
Responding to Anadolu’s question at a press conference in Moscow, Zakharova cited expert estimates indicating that much of Gaza will remain uninhabitable for years, even at the most basic level.
"We have always said the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe of an unparalleled magnitude. The number of dead, injured, and missing has surpassed 160,000. About 2 million people—90% of the population—have become internally displaced. The civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip has been almost completely destroyed in the fighting," she said.
Despite the current cease-fire, severe disruptions persist in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza; as a result, those who remain in the enclave suffer from malnutrition and lack of access to essential household and medical services, leading to the spread of diseases, she noted.
Zakharova emphasized that Russia is among the countries that swiftly responded to the humanitarian crisis.
Since October 2023, aircraft from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations have delivered 800 tons of aid to Egypt for further shipment to Gaza via the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, she explained.
"And I want to stress that alongside state authorities and government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civic groups, and individuals have also contributed to providing aid to Palestinians in need. This work will continue," she added.
When asked about stalled negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, as well as US President Donald Trump’s threats against Hamas, Zakharova noted that despite statements from both sides, none have declared the cease-fire broken or void.
"At this moment, I will not provide any definitive or detailed assessments of the first stage of the agreement's implementation for one simple reason—it is set to conclude on March 2," she remarked.
Moscow considers strict adherence to these agreements a key factor in stabilizing the situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she asserted.
"While there have been setbacks and mutual accusations, no official announcement has been made declaring the cease-fire broken," she noted.
The spokesperson highlighted ongoing indirect talks between Hamas and Israeli delegations in Doha, saying, "Apparently, this can be seen as a continuation of the negotiation process.
"We hope that these efforts will ultimately lead to a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and pave the way for a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue."
