Hamas is glad that Russia has offered to mediate and supports Putin's stance

Gaza's militant Islamic group, Hamas, welcomed "Russia's tireless efforts" Saturday morning (local time) to stop Israel's onslaught.

"[We] appreciate Russian President Vladimir Putin's position regarding the ongoing Zionist aggression against our people and his rejection of the Gaza siege, the cutting of relief supplies, and the targeting of safe civilians there," the release said.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin encouraged all parties in the Israel-Hamas conflict to "minimize or reduce to zero" civilian losses. On Friday, the foreign ministry in Moscow repeated similar demands for calm.

His views come as Russia wages a brutal war against Ukraine and is probed by the ICC for crimes against humanity. That lawsuit contains civilian targeting charges.