Lavrov says Palestinian state 'inevitable'

MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that a Palestinian state is "inevitable."

"In the historical aspect, the establishment of a Palestinian state is inevitable," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian RT TV channel.

He regretted that most days discussions about the future of the Gaza Strip "do not pay attention" to the issues of the establishment of the Palestinian state neighboring Israel.

The minister said a cease-fire and addressing humanitarian problems are top priorities in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"The immediate task, the most urgent is the cessation of hostilities and the adoption of measures to resolve humanitarian problems that are observed everywhere (on the Palestinian territory,)" he said.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 40th day, at least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 7,800 women and children, and over 29,200 have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.