Report: Netanyahu, Lavrov discuss pressure on Hamas

Jun 29, 2010, 21:07 GMT

Jerusalem - Israel has urged Russia to use its connections to Hamas to help free captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, according to the Jerusalem Post late Tuesday.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Tuesday afternoon, and asked him to 'put heavy pressure on Hamas,' the Post reported.

Last Friday marked Shalit's fourth anniversary as a Hamas prisoner, and thousands have marched over the weekend on behalf of his liberation.

Hamas ousted the rival Fatah faction from the Gaza Strip three years ago and uses the base for missile attacks into Israel.

Israel has long criticized Russia for its connections to Hamas. After Hamas' election victory in 2006, Russia received a delegation of leaders from the radical militant Islamic organization in Moscow.

Lavrov also met with his counterpart Avigdor Lieberman and Israel President Shimon Peres. He also plans to meet with Palestinian Fatah leaders in Ramallah, in the West Bank, and travel to Cairo for more meetings.

Netanyahu is under increasing pressure over Shalit. His family organized weekend demonstrations on behalf of his release.

Hamas is demanding that Israel release 1,000 Palestinians from prison in exchange for giving up Shalit.