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Israel in contact with Russia on situation with Hamas – ambassador

Tel Aviv is seeking understanding from Moscow, said Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi

MOSCOW, October 7. /TASS/. The Israeli side is in contact with the Russian Foreign Ministry about the situation concerning Gaza Strip militant strikes on Israeli land, Tel Aviv is looking for Moscow's understanding, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Alexander Ben Zvi said in an interview with TASS.

"Yes, I am in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are in constant contact all the time, and we hope that the Russian side will truly understand the seriousness of the situation in which we now find ourselves," the Israeli diplomat said.

Early on Saturday morning, rocket attacks were launched on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Alarm signals have sounded continuously since 06:28 Moscow time in many localities across the country, including the Tel Aviv area and its environs.

The military operation of the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip in response to the massive rocket fire launched on Saturday from the Palestinian side is now called "Iron Swords," the army press service reported. The Israeli army has launched attacks on the Gaza Strip after massive rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave, the army press service reported earlier on Saturday.

At least 6 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured as a result of rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to The Times of Israel newspaper. The militant wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas issued a statement that during the operation in Israel it captured about 35 Israeli soldiers and settlers. The operation initiated by Palestinian radicals in Israeli territory next to the Gaza Strip is a response to Israel's aggressive activities against one of Islam's holiest sites, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, Chief of Hamas's Political Bureau Hamas Politburo Ismail Haniyeh said.