Putin: The Israel-Hamas Conflict Poses a Risk of Expanding Beyond the Middle East

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, warned on Wednesday that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could extend beyond the Middle East. He stated that women, children, and innocent people in Gaza should not be punished for the crimes of others. In a meeting with religious leaders in Russia, Putin said that the bloodshed in the region must stop, and if it does not, there is a risk of igniting a much broader war. He remarked, "Our duty today is to stop the bloodshed and violence; otherwise, further escalation of the crisis will be filled with severe, very dangerous, and destructive consequences." Putin also criticized the West, claiming that some unidentified forces are seeking to further provoke tensions and drag more countries and peoples into the conflict. According to him, the goal is to unleash "a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but far beyond its borders." Putin stated that Moscow continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue and that Israel is mistaken to continue bombing Gaza. He urged Israel to seek a diplomatic solution instead of revenge. Putin's claims come as a UN research body announced that Russia has committed widespread war crimes during the Ukraine war, including deliberate killings, torture, and the forced deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. The International Criminal Court has also accused Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights, of committing war crimes through the illegal deportation of hundreds of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin has denied these allegations.