The tragedy in the Lebanese village of Qana that claimed more than 50 lives is a callous violation of international humanitarian law, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said on Monday.

"Such mistakes are a callous violation of the simplest norms of international humanitarian law," Kamynin said in a statement.

More than 50 Lebanese civilians, most of them children, were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Qana early on Sunday, drawing international condemnation and increased calls for a ceasefire.

"The tragedy in Qana is more proof of the need to immediately cease military actions, bloodshed and violence in Lebanon," Kamynin said.

"The logic and arguments of those who are dragging out a ceasefire cannot be accepted," he said.

Russia upholds a U.N. statement which expresses shock and pain over the bombing of Qana, he said.

"We have condemned actions in which civilians suffer many times," the Russian diplomat said.

Violence between Israel and Hezbollah started on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.

Source: Xinhua