MOSCOW 

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned Israeli strikes on Gaza, stating that they result in civilian casualties and the destruction of vital infrastructure.

Moscow urged both Israeli and Palestinian sides to return to negotiations in pursuit of a mutually acceptable compromise, the ministry said in a statement.

"Moscow deeply regrets Israel's resumption of military operations in the Gaza Strip. Experience shows that the issue of hostage release cannot be resolved by force. Russia strongly condemns any actions that lead to civilian deaths and the destruction of social infrastructure," the statement read.

The ministry emphasized that a resolution must address the fate of detainees, ensure lasting stability in the Gaza Strip, and initiate a full-scale reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave.

More than 48,500 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 112,000 others injured in a brutal Israeli military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.