Tel Aviv/Moscow, 10 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised Russia's stance on the Gaza war in talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Netanyahu's office announced on Sunday that the Israeli leader had expressed his dissatisfaction with positions taken by Russian representatives at the United Nations and in other international forums.

Netanyahu also "expressed sharp criticism of the dangerous cooperation between Russia and Iran," according to a summary of the discussion provided by his office.

The Israeli head of government also told the Kremlin leader that "any country that had been struck with a criminal terrorist assault such as Israel experienced would have reacted with no less force than Israel is using."

At the same time, Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Russia's commitment to the release of Israelis with Russian citizenship being held captive by Islamist Hamas militants.

He also asked Putin for Russia to exert pressure on the Red Cross with the aim of having its representatives visit Israeli hostages and bring them medicine.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu left the cabinet meeting for the 50-minute phone call with Putin. The last conversation had reportedly taken place on October 17.

The Kremlin initially made no announcement about the phone call on Sunday.