Russian Embassy in Egypt Condemns Lapid Over Gaza Operation

The Russian Embassy in Egypt on Tuesday condemned Prime Minister Yair Lapid over Operation Breaking Dawn in the Gaza Strip, comparing it to Russia’s army occupation of Ukraine’s city of Bucha, where war crimes against civilians were reported.

Days after the Egypt-mediated ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) took effect, Russia’s Embassy in Cairo published a tweet accusing Lapid of “double standards” over his previous publication about Ukraine’s Bucha.

“Compare Yair Lapid’s lie about Ukraine in April and attempts to place blame and responsibility on Russia for the deaths of people in Bucha who were brutally murdered by the [Ukrainian] Nazis with his calls in August for bombing and land strikes in Gaza,” the tweet read. “Isn’t that double standards and complete disregard and contempt for the lives of Palestinians?”

The post referred to Israel’s airstrikes conducted against Islamic Jihad leaders and military infrastructure during the three-day operation.

Earlier in the week, Russia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling on all parties “to show maximum restraint and to work towards a ceasefire.”

Moscow has been widely criticized for its invasion of Ukraine, which led to unprecedented international sanctions against Russia and its growing isolation.

The Russian army was accused of killing and torturing civilians in occupied territories with disturbing images from Bucha, which was liberated by Ukrainian forces in late March.