Hamas is back in Moscow to discuss hostages and humanitarian crisis

On Friday, January 19, a delegation from the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, led by Deputy Chairman of the Politburo Mousa Abu Marzook, held consultations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow.

The Hamas Palestinian Information Center reports that the meeting was also attended by Basem Naim, a member of the Hamas Politburo, and a Hamas representative in Moscow.

According to a statement from Hamas quoted by RIA Novosti, the parties discussed ways to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas delegation also raised the issue of Israeli actions perceived as threats to international security. Additionally, they discussed the possibility of a "hostage exchange" deal.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting between Bogdanov and Abu Marzook, emphasizing the urgent need for the release of civilians captured during attacks on October 7, 2023.

Among these captives are three Russian citizens: Andrei Kozlov, 27, from Rishon Lezion; Alex Lobanov, 32, from Ashkelon; and Alexander Trufanov, 28, from Nir Oz.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the conversation primarily focused on the ongoing confrontation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. They highlighted the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, describing it as having reached catastrophic proportions.

Russian - Hamas Relations

Hamas representatives have been visiting Moscow regularly since March 2006. Despite Russian citizens being victims of terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas militants, Russian authorities do not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization and do not restrict the activities of Hamas emissaries on Russian soil.

There has been no public apology from the leadership of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations for the harm caused to Russian citizens due to its militant actions.

In the summer of 2012, the Russian leadership ignored a request to detain Hamas leaders and investigate their crimes against Russian citizens in Israel.

The News of Israel editors have repeatedly reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian State Duma for clarification on this matter but received no response.

In February 2017, Russian Ambassador to Israel, Alexander Shein, stated in an interview with The News of Israel, "These terrorist acts were not specifically directed against Russian citizens. However, there could have been random victims, including Russian tourists."

He emphasized that legal recognition of an organization as terrorist depends on whether the terrorist attack targets Russian citizens, with the Supreme Court making the final decision.

Moscow maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Hamas leadership through the Russian Foreign Ministry. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has met with Hamas leaders, although current President Vladimir Putin refrains from public personal contacts with Hamas representatives.

Khaled Mashal, former head of Hamas, visited Moscow several times between 2006 and 2010. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Mashal twice in Damascus in 2008 and 2009, advocating for continuity of relations between Russia and Hamas.

From 2007 to 2011, a representative of the Hamas leadership, Osama Hamdan, visited Moscow frequently and participated in various events, including the presentation of Alexander Prokhanov’s book "Hamas - Praise to Heroes" in 2008.

The current head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, met with Sergei Lavrov in March 2020 and September 2022. Additionally, Lavrov and his deputy Bogdanov have met with Haniyeh's deputy, Mousa Abu Marzook, several times in Moscow.

Following the tragic events of "Black Saturday" on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli territory, killing over a thousand people and kidnapping hundreds, including Russian citizens, the Russian Foreign Ministry received multiple Hamas delegations. Moscow claims credit for securing the release of some Russian citizens held captive by terrorists in Gaza.

Many analysts observe that the Russian authorities have benefitted from the ongoing conflict in Israel, as it not only diverts attention from the war in Ukraine but also influences the reduction of military assistance to Ukraine.