Abbas Seeks Putin's Support in Moscow Amid Gaza Crisis and Israeli Airstrikes
August 13, 2024Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting Russia from August 12 to August 14, where he is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
Abbas will arrive in Moscow on Monday evening and is scheduled to meet with Putin on Tuesday to discuss the current situation in Gaza.
This diplomatic engagement follows a recent Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that resulted in 93 Palestinian deaths, including children, provoking international condemnation.
Abbas is seeking support from allies Putin and Erdogan in light of the recent violence, particularly after the Israeli attack on the school.
The visit was originally scheduled for November but was postponed, with the main focus now on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Moscow has increasingly aligned itself with Iran and Hamas since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, criticizing Israel's military actions.
During the meetings, discussions will center on the difficult circumstances in Gaza and the potential role of Russia in addressing the crisis.
Before departing on Wednesday, Abbas will also meet with ambassadors from Arab states to further discuss the situation in Gaza.
Abdel Hafiz Nofal, the Palestinian ambassador in Moscow, emphasized the importance of Russia's role and possible actions to support Palestine during the discussions.
In response to the recent airstrike, Russian diplomats expressed deep shock and condemned the systematic attacks on civilians in Gaza.
After his visit to Moscow, Abbas plans to travel to Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and address the Turkish Parliament.
Summary based on 4 sources