Moscow thinks Israeli military operation in Palestine counterproductive

Any large-scale Israel's military operation in Palestine, including the Gaza Strip would have reverse effect today. It would only exacerbate the situation. Spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Yakovenko, said this on Thursday answering journalists' questions. He noted that Russia condemns terror attacks against Israeli citizens. At the same time Moscow thinks that it must not happen that any terror attack frustrates the international community's efforts to stabilize the situation. According to the diplomat, there has not been significant changes in the situations as UN Security Council Resolution 1402 was not implemented. Terror attacks and local military operations in the Palestinian territory are still going on, the peace talks are halted. However, Moscow thinks that there are some positive changes in the Middle East situation. The spokesman pointed to the peaceful settlement of the crisis around Yasser Arafat residence in Ramallah. The legitimate Palestinian leader is free to move. The siege of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem has been lifted. According to Yakovenko, Moscow is fully aware that Palestinians and Israelis are doomed to live shoulder by shoulder and Russia is ready to do its best to advance peace in the region.