MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Russia’s readiness to help de-escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip, the Kremlin press service said after his phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The Russian side is ready offer all possible assistance to relieve the suffering of civilians and de-escalate the conflict," it said.

Apart from that, "the sides expressed mutual readiness to continue cooperation on issues of the evacuation of Russian nationals and their family members, as well as the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza," the Kremlin said, adding that the leaders also agreed to continue contacts.

The situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone was among the central topics during Putin’s talks with the Saudi crown prince and the presidents of the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Egypt earlier this week.

Putin’s previous phone call with Netanyahu took place on October 16, shortly after the outbreak of the recent round of violence. At that time, the Russian president told the Israeli prime minister that Russia stood ready to help settle the situation.