Putin and Netanyahu hold phone call ahead of UN vote on Gaza peacekeepers — ApsnyNews World News

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken over the phone ahead of the UN Security Council vote on the deployment of peacekeepers in Gaza.

The Kremlin said on Saturday that "a thorough exchange of views took place on the situation in the Middle East region, including developments in the Gaza Strip in the context of implementing the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detainees.” The leaders also discussed Iran’s nuclear program and the situation in Syria, according to the readout.

Netanyahu’s office released a shorter statement, saying that the leader discussed “regional issues.”

Earlier this month, the US circulated a draft resolution authorizing the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza for the period of at least two years and calling for the establishment of the so-called Board of Peace as a transitional governing body. On Friday, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia released a joint statement backing the American proposal.

Russia has submitted an alternative draft tasking the UN secretary general with drawing up options to implement US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The Russian mission criticized the American draft for lacking “instruments of oversight and control” over the stabilization force and not mentioning the two-state solution. The Russian mission said that “only a truly equal and inclusive approach” can guarantee peace.

Both drafts are expected to be put to a vote on Monday.