Russia hosts Hamas delegation & Iran minister, discusses Israel war; faces backlash

Amid the ongoing war in Israel, Hamas representatives have flown to Moscow to discuss the conflict and ways to stop “Zionist crimes supported by the United States and the West.”

Hamas delegation, led by the head of the terror group’s International Relations office, Musa Abu Marzouk, met Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov.

The meeting was also attended by Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy foreign minister of Hamas’ chief sponsor, Iran.

Hamas praises Putin

Hamas delegation also praised the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the efforts of Russian diplomacy.

As per reports, Bogdanov, who is also Putin’s special envoy to West Asia, has expressed Russia’s support for the rights of the people of Palestine. He also spoke of his country’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire and open humanitarian corridors in Gaza.

Israel slams Russia

Russia was slammed by Israel for hosting representatives of Hamas amid growing Jerusalem’s public frustration with Moscow.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said: “Hamas is a terrorist organization worse than ISIS.”

“Israel sees the invitation of senior Hamas officials to Moscow as an obscene step that gives support to terrorism and legitimises the atrocities of Hamas terrorists,” the Israel’s Foreign Ministry said, calling on Moscow to immediately expel the leaders of Hamas.

“The hands of senior Hamas officials are stained with the blood of over 1,400 Israelis who were slaughtered, murdered, executed and burned, and they are responsible for the kidnapping of over 220 Israelis including babies, children, women and the elderly,” the Israel’s Foreign Minister spokesperson added.

Recently, Russia submitted a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire that did not mention Hamas, and was, therefore, voted down by the US, UK, France and others.

Moscow has backed Israel’s right to defend itself, but has blasted the country for employing “cruel methods” in its campaign against Hamas.

Israel-Palestine war broke out when Hamas launched an unprecedented ground, air and sea assault from the Gaza Strip on the Jewish state on October 7.

With inputs from agencies