Nebenzia called Israel's plans to change the demographics of the Gaza Strip alarming

Russia is concerned about statements by Israeli officials about intentions to forcibly change the demographic composition of the Gaza Strip, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzya said at a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on December 18.

"The statements by Israeli officials about forcibly changing the demographic composition of Gaza for the purpose of 'recolonization' of the enclave are particularly alarming," his words are quoted on the website of the post mission.

The Russian side is also deeply indignant at the law adopted by the Knesset on the deportation of families of terrorists, the diplomat added. He recalled that under this law, the Israeli authorities will be able to send to Gaza Palestinians who have not reported "criminal intentions" of their relatives. Such a measure will doom those whom Tel Aviv considers unreliable to death by starvation or bombing, the post noted.

Nebenzya emphasized that Russia considers unacceptable such steps and public calls by some members of the Israeli government to annex the West Bank. According to him, Russia is also concerned that Israel justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, the bombing of Lebanon, Syria and the occupation of Syrian lands with the right to ensure security.

In addition, the diplomat drew attention to Israel's ban on UNRWA activities in early 2025, which will mean the termination of the work of the UN non-alternative structure for providing aid to the Palestinians. At the same time, Israeli actions in Gaza do not give hope that Tel Aviv will take over the function of this international organization, Nebenzya said.

The Permanent Representative noted that Russia believes in the possibility of another development of events in the occupied Palestinian territory, and the position of the Russian Federation coincides with the will of the international community.

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Earlier in the day, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported that the radical Palestinian movement Hamas agreed to release sick and elderly hostages. Journalists assessed this as a "significant breakthrough" in one of the issues concerning the situation in the Gaza Strip.

On the eve of the channel Al Jazeera reported that since the beginning of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict more than 45 thousand Palestinians have died, about 107 thousand more were wounded. On the same day it became known that Hamas and the Israeli authorities by the end of December may reach an agreement on the release of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will go to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.