Russia: Israeli Bombing of Gaza Violates International Law

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Saturday that "the Israeli bombing of Gaza contradicts international law and risks causing a disaster that could last for decades." He said, "While we condemn terrorism, we categorically reject the possibility of responding to terrorism by violating the rules of international humanitarian law, including the indiscriminate use of force against targets known to have civilians present, including hostages." He added, "It is impossible to eradicate 'Hamas,' as Israel has pledged, without destroying Gaza along with most of its civilian population." He pointed out that "if Gaza is destroyed and two million people are displaced, as some politicians in Israel and abroad suggest, it would lead to a disaster for decades, if not centuries, and there must be a pause and the announcement of humanitarian programs to save the besieged population."