Moscow Urges Israel, Palestine to Deescalate Tensions

Moscow has called on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to exercise restraint and to deescalate tensions in the region in order to preserve the possibility of a diplomatic settlement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian ministry also called for the cessation of hostilities against civilians in order to preserve prospects of the diplomatic settlement between the parties to the long-standing conflict.

"We urge the Israeli and Palestinian sides to show restraint and responsibility for the future of their people, to do their utmost to deescalate the situation," the statement reads.

Israel has experienced a wave of violence since early September 2015, which has left several hundred people dead. Most of the victims are Palestinians, who have been killed in knife, firearm and car attacks on Israelis. A total of 31 Israelis and one US citizen are estimated to have been killed in clashes with Palestinians since October 2015.

In the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Palestinians seek recognition of their independent state on the territories of West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.