Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russia may contribute to easing tensions between Israel and Palestine.

"We have to maintain an equal distance, only this will give us the right to participate in the settlement process in the future, and Russia can and will play a role in the settlement process," Peskov said at a news conference in Moscow.

Peskov noted that Russian citizens are present on both sides of the conflict, and for Moscow, their safety is the "number one priority."

The spokesman confirmed that a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Russia is being planned, but that no specific dates have been set.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.