Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Social media pioneers circulated Wednesday video clips and statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he addressed the Palestinian issue and its proximity to “the heart of all Muslims.” .

This comes in Putin’s statements during a plenary session of Russian Energy Week, where he said, as reported by the Russian state-run TASS news agency: “First, a decision was made to establish the state. Israel, meanwhile, had a parallel decision to establish a state. ”Again, this is initially about the creation of two independent and sovereign states – Israel and Palestine.

He continued: “As we know, Israel was already established, Palestine was never established as an independent and sovereign state,” noting that “due to various circumstances,” some lands considered by Palestinians, and historically considered Palestinian lands, have been occupied by Israel at different times and in different ways. were occupied.

Putin believes that the Palestinian issue is close to the heart of every person in the Middle East, and “very close to the heart of everyone who practices Islam,” according to a TASS report, adding: “Life is like this. It has happened, these are clear things… everything that has been happening for decades is “not just now.” , it is seen as a form of injustice, and it has reached incredible proportions.”

Putin’s statements came as the death toll continued to rise for a sixth straight day from events in Israel and Gaza, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza saying nearly 1,200 people had been killed since Israel began airstrikes. , Israel says at least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday in retaliation for Hamas attacks.