Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone today about the situation in the Middle East, including the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but also developments in Iran and Syria.
The Russian presidency said in a statement that the two leaders “exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, including deployments in the Gaza Strip in the context of the ceasefire and the prisoner exchange agreement.”
Furthermore, the Kremlin indicated that “the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear program and issues related to promoting greater stabilization in Syria” were also discussed.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the call and highlighted that it came “on the initiative of President Putin”, continuing “a series of recent conversations” to address regional issues.
This is the second telephone conversation between the two since the beginning of October, when Putin reiterated to Netanyahu the Kremlin’s support for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the recognition of the State of Palestine.
The two leaders are the target of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity, in Putin’s case related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in Netanyahu’s case with the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
After two years of conflict, the Palestinian enclave has experienced a ceasefire in force since October 10, which includes exchanges of hostages and prisoners with Hamas Islamists, the partial withdrawal of the Israeli army from the territory and the reinforcement of humanitarian aid.
A second stage of the plan driven by the United States, and yet to be agreed, foresees the continuation of the Israeli withdrawal, the demilitarization of Hamas, the discussion of the governance of the territory and the constitution of an international force to be deployed in the enclave.
In addition to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Israel has been involved in other military fronts in the last two years, which have included bombings against Iranian nuclear installations and air strikes against movements supported by the Islamic Republic in nearby countries, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.
When it comes to Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Moscow and Tehran, was overthrown in December last year by a jihadist-inspired rebel coalition and Israel has since maintained military positions in the south of the country, as is also the case in Lebanon.