Leaders reviewed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call in advance of the UN Security Council vote concerning the deployment of peacekeepers in Gaza.
On Saturday, the Kremlin reported that the two leaders engaged in “a comprehensive exchange of views regarding the Middle East situation, specifically developments in the Gaza Strip concerning the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detainees.” The readout further indicated discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and the situation in Syria.
Netanyahu’s office issued a more concise statement, noting that the prime minister addressed “regional issues.”
Earlier this month, the US circulated a draft resolution proposing the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza for a minimum of two years, and advocating for the creation of a “Board of Peace” to serve as a transitional governing body. On Friday, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia jointly endorsed the American proposal.
Conversely, Russia presented an alternative draft, which instructs the UN Secretary-General to develop options for implementing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The Russian mission criticized the American draft, citing its absence of “instruments of oversight and control” for the stabilization force and its failure to mention a two-state solution. The Russian mission asserted that peace can only be secured through “only a truly equal and inclusive approach.”
Both draft resolutions are scheduled for a vote on Monday.