Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "concern" on Friday over the resumption of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, stressing Moscow's readiness to assist in "de-escalation."

The Kremlin said in a statement that the Russian president, during a phone call with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressed "concern over the resumption of hostilities in the Gaza Strip," noting that both sides expressed "their willingness to work to de-escalate the situation," according to Agence France-Presse.

Israel resumed its military campaign early Tuesday morning with a wave of deadly strikes, breaking the relative calm that had prevailed in the devastated Palestinian enclave since a ceasefire took effect on January 19.

In response, Hamas announced the launch of several rockets at Tel Aviv on Thursday, its first military response to the rising civilian death toll. Israel said it had closed the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, while its forces expanded ground operations, which it resumed on Wednesday.