# Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has slammed Israeli attacks on Gaza as collective punishment of the civilian population, in some of Moscow’s strongest criticism of Israel. The Israeli military has recently stepped up its offensive in what it says is a renewed push to destroy Hamas. Lavrov said what is happening in Gaza is incomprehensible and indescribable. Russia and Israel have traditionally enjoyed warm relations. Almost a fifth of Israel’s population is Russian-speaking and Moscow has for years strove to maintain cordial ties with all major powers in the Middle East.
Russia slams Israel for ‘collective punishment’ of civilians in Gaza