Russia has called on Israel not to take tough actions in the Gaza Strip and urged the Palestinian militants to release the abducted Israel soldier, according to comments made by the foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin on Tuesday night.

Russia had been watching the grave situation in the Gaza Strip closely, said Kamynin on the official website of Russia's Foreign Ministry.

He added that military operations in Gaza will not only bring heavy human casualties, but have serious consequences on the negotiation of disputes between the Palestinians and Israel.

Kamynin urged the Israeli government to tackle the issue within political frameworks, while calling on the Palestinian leaders to adopt substantial measures in a bid to check the terrorist attacks targeting Israel.

He said all Palestinian factions should be aware that the escalated tension runs counter to the will of the Palestinian people.

Palestinian militants mounted a deadly predawn attack on an Israeli army post near the Gaza border on Sunday, during which a 19-year-old Israeli Corporal named Gilad Shalit was snatched.

They demanded the release of Palestinian women and minors jailed by Israel in exchange for the abducted soldier, which was turned down by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

On early Wednesday Israeli troops entered the southern Gaza Strip, starting a broad ground operation aimed at securing the return of the kidnapped soldier.

Source: Xinhua