Putin, Netanyahu discuss Middle East issues over phone

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation on Saturday evening, during which the two leaders exchanged views on the Middle East situation, according to statements from both sides, reported Xinhua.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the two leaders spoke at Putin's initiative, following a series of previous talks on regional issues. It did not provide further information on the talks.

According to the Russian presidency, the two leaders exchanged in details the recent developments in Gaza in light of the ceasefire, Iran's nuclear program, and Syria's further stabilization, among other issues.

On Thursday, Russia introduced its own draft UN resolution on Gaza, challenging a U.S. push for the UN Security Council to approve a separate proposal that would support U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

According to media reports, the U.S. proposal wants an international stabilization force in Gaza with broad independence from the UN, and grants Israel continued control over the security perimeter surrounding Gaza for an unspecified period.

Meanwhile, the Russian proposal focuses on creating an international stabilization force under direct UN authority, opposes to any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza, and urges implementing the two-state solution.