The Russian Foreign Ministry has urged "Israel" to abandon its controversial E1 settlement expansion plan, warning that the move would gravely undermine the prospects of establishing a viable Palestinian state.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, speaking at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday, said the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is “developing in an extremely negative direction.”

“This cannot help but cause grave concern, serious concern, which we comment on virtually every briefing,” she told reporters. Zakharova stressed that construction in the E1 area, which would create a physical link between the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, the occupied West Bank, and al-Quds, would effectively prevent territorial continuity for a future Palestinian state.

“This project, developed more than 20 years ago, has repeatedly been postponed due to sharp criticism from the overwhelming majority of members of the international community, and we hope that it will finally be abandoned, thus preserving the prospect of a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem,” she said.

Moscow condemns civilian deaths in Israeli airstrikes

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Turning to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Zakharova condemned the killing of civilians and journalists in "Israel’s" recent airstrikes. “Today, unfortunately, we are compelled to speak of yet another instance of mass civilian casualties, including journalists, in the Gaza Strip,” she said.

She referred to the August 25 attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Palestine, which reportedly killed at least 22 people, including five media representatives, patients, and medical staff. The spokesperson expressed Moscow’s condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated that indiscriminate attacks on civilian facilities are “gross violations of international law.”

“We reaffirm our consistent position in favor of immediate and universal cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the prompt return of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolution process to the politico-diplomatic track,” she stressed.

Lavrov calls for urgent peace dialogues

In a related development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on August 20 for the immediate resumption of direct dialogue between Palestinians and "Israel". Speaking in Moscow after meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, Lavrov emphasized that genuine peace requires diplomacy and direct talks.

“What needs to be done by Jordan, Russia, and other nations sincerely interested in achieving lasting peace is to push for an urgent return to direct talks,” Lavrov said. He underscored that establishing a Palestinian state remains the cornerstone of resolving the struggle.

“Violent protests, including armed resistance, won’t simply disappear. We need to acknowledge this openly,” Lavrov warned.

Moscow has consistently opposed "Israel’s" settlement expansion and emphasized the importance of a "two-state solution" based on international law. The Kremlin maintains that only the creation of an independent Palestinian state, with the eastern part of occupied al-Quds as its capital, can ensure long-term peace and stability in West Asia.