Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Israel risked waging an “unacceptable” siege in Gaza comparable to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II, and called for mediation.
Fears for Gaza’s Palestinian inhabitants have grown since the Israeli army called for 1.1 million people — nearly half the territory’s total population — to evacuate ahead of a possible ground invasion.
“Various scenarios are emerging, including the possibility of military and non-military measures being taken against the Gaza Strip comparable to the siege of Leningrad during World War II,” Putin told journalists on a visit to Kyrgyzstan.
“We understand what that entails. In my opinion, this is unacceptable. More than two million people live there,” he added.
Israel’s evacuation order came after Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, burst through the territory’s borders and killed more than 1,300 people — most of them civilians — the worst attack on Israel in its 75-year history.
Moscow, which manages to retain close relations with both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, said on Monday that creating a Palestinian state was the “most reliable” solution for peace in Israel.
Putin renewed his call for negotiations on Friday, and offered Moscow as a potential mediator.
When asked whether Moscow could help find a way to end the crisis, Putin said: “Russia can, by virtue of the fact that we have had good relations with Israel over the last 15 years.”