Russia has condemned the Israeli army's excessive use of force, a day after Israeli tanks killed eight Palestinians in the southern Gaza strip in response to a rocket attack.
"While firmly condemning the terrorist actions of extremists, (Russia) views with great concern the disproportionately harsh operations carried out by Israeli forces," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Russian statement blasted the Israeli army for operating in "densely populated Palestinian territory and causing the unjustified loss of civilian lives".
"The only chance of escaping the current dead end in Israeli-Palestinian relations is by a return to dialogue," it said.
Israeli tanks killed eight Palestinians, including two children, yesterday when they returned fire at militants who launched rockets at them in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
Russia officially co-sponsors the Middle East peace process and is a member of the Quartet, along with the European Union, the United Nations and the United States, which is working for a peaceful settlement in the region.
AFP