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Top envoys from Muslim countries head to Moscow in effort to lift Gaza siege
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A plume of smoke rises during an Israeli bombardment near the country's border with the Gaza Strip on Nov. 12, 2023. (AFP/Fadel Senna)
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ix top diplomats from Muslim-majority nations, including Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, were set to depart for Moscow on Tuesday as part of a string of diplomatic visits to countries key to the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The trip, which seeks to end the siege in Gaza and bring about a peace process, may face resistance from the West, analysts say, as Israel seeks to eradicate Hamas.
Over six weeks have elapsed since fighting began, sparked by a surprise Hamas incursion into Israel on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,000 people and in which the militant group took number of hostages. In response, Tel Aviv launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, besieging the Palestinian enclave while targeting refugee camps and hospitals it says double as militant strongholds. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Despite the rapidly deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip, Israel has resisted efforts to bring about a cease-fire or pause the conflict.
The violence has sparked a global outcry, although support for Israel among influential Western nations, particularly those on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has limited the international response.
Read also: Indonesia incensed by Israeli attack on Gaza hospital
Recently, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) asked the top diplomats of Indonesia, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey to kick-start international efforts to end the violent conflict, including by paying visits to the five permanent members of the UNSC: China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and the United States.
