Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Israel to stop military operations in Gaza during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The conversation came as the Palestinian death toll from Israel's devastating military offensive against the Gaza Strip rose to 678, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, following fresh Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave.
Emphasizing that a ceasefire and political methods are the only alternatives for solving the conflict, Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was ready to undertake mediation and peace efforts, according to a statement from the Kremlin press center.
Relations between the two countries were also discussed.
The continuation of military operations in Gaza has led to a dramatic worsening in humanitarian conditions and casualties among civilians, the statement said.
Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip with fierce air and naval bombardments since July 7, with the ostensible aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.
Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations last week, sending thousands of troops into the embattled coastal territory.
Israel's "Operation Protective Edge" is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated strip – home to 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.
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