Putin Offers Help to Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu offering help to prevent a humanitarian disaster and sharing information about recent calls with regional leaders.

Putin expressed condolences for the over 1,300 Israeli deaths from a Hamas attack and said he was willing to work toward ending the conflict through political and diplomatic means.

The Kremlin said Putin told Netanyahu about conversations with leaders of Syria, Iran, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, who all expressed concern about the conflict escalating.

After the call, Netanyahu's office said he told Putin that Israel was attacked by murderers and is determined and united to destroy Hamas' capabilities.

Putin has blamed failed U.S. policies for conditions leading to the latest violence, while maintaining warm relations with Iran, which backs Hamas.