Russia strongly condemned the killing of four Israeli settlers by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
"This is a provocative raid," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it happened on the eve of resumption of the direct Israeli-Palestinian talks due to begin in Washington on Thursday, Xinhua reported.
The Russia's foreign ministry expressed its hope that investigation would bring about concrete results and those responsible for the killings would be punished.
The foreign ministry stressed the great importance of restraint from all sides which should not undertake any actions that could negatively impact the peace efforts making for the benefits of the Israeli and Palestinian people.
Two men and two women were killed in the town of Hebron on Tuesday. The "Izeddin al Qassama Brigades" have claimed responsibility for the attack.