MOSCOW, July 4. /TASS/. Moscow advocates de-escalation of tensions and establishment of negotiation process between Israel and Palestine over the situation in Jenin, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the phone call between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhal Bogdanov and Hamas Politburo member Mousa Abu Marzook.

The sides discussed the situation on Palestinian territory over the abrupt escalation of the situation around the West Bank city of Jenin as a result of Israel’s military operation.

"The Russian side reaffirmed its principal position in favor of de-escalation of tensions, as well as establishment of a negotiation process in the interest of a fair settlement of the Palestinian problem based on the known international legal basis," the statement reads.

"Meanwhile, [the sides] stated readiness to further work energetically in order to achieve this goal, including via intensification of collective efforts of Russia, the Arab League and the group of Middle Eastern states, involved in the Middle Eastern settlement dossier," the Ministry added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also noted that, during the conversation, an emphasis was made on the task to restore the Palestinian national unity based on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) political program.

The phone call took place on the Palestinian initiative, the Foreign Ministry said.

Late on Monday, Israeli forces started a large-scale operation in the West Bank city of Jenin and the adjacent refugee camp. During the raid, the troops seized a self-made rocket launcher and repeatedly carried out airstrikes on terrorists and armed militants, the Israel Defense Forces’ press office reported. Later on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the operation will last for as long as it would take to restore the calm and security of the people of Israel.