The Palestinian side has signaled a shift in its approach to the Middle East conflict, highlighting the role of Russia and China in pursuing a pathway to resolution. This development was reported by TASS, citing remarks from Abdel Hafiz Nofal, the Palestinian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, about ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional coordination. In recent public statements, Nofal outlined a broader framework in which Moscow and Beijing play supportive roles alongside regional partners to seek de-escalation and a political settlement.
Earlier, Nofal had served in the Palestinian government when responsibilities included facilitating the evacuation of Russian nationals from Gaza to Egypt. He noted that he has held conversations with representatives of the Russian government, with participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those discussions focused on humanitarian corridors, safe passage, and coordinated responses to the evolving crisis, underscoring the importance of international cooperation during emergency operations.
On 13 October, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, described Israel’s request to evacuate approximately 1.1 million Palestinians from the northern Gaza Strip as a briefing topic tied to a possible land operation. The UN stressed that officials communicated a desire for the evacuation to be completed within a tight 24-hour window, a timetable that would require substantial logistical planning and international support to minimize civilian harm. The statement highlighted the tensions between urgent security actions and humanitarian obligations in unprecedented war-time circumstances.
Vasily Nebenzya, the former Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, criticized what he characterized as a lack of decisive action by the international community in addressing tensions across the region. Nebenzya pointed to gaps in coordinated responses and timely diplomacy, arguing that stronger collective measures are necessary to avert further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. His remarks reflect the broader frustration voiced by some actors about the pace and effectiveness of international diplomacy amid ongoing hostilities.