The delegation of the Palestinian navy group was led by Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, who met with Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian deputy international minister, Hamas stated in a press release.
The 2 sides have mentioned the discharge of international hostages from the Gaza Strip, the Russian international ministry stated, based on RIA Novosti, a Russian state information company. In addition they mentioned the evacuation of Russians and different foreigners from the area. In its assertion, Hamas praised Mr. Putin’s place on the battle and the lively efforts of Russian diplomacy.
Since Hamas’s terrorist assaults on Israel on Oct. 7, Russia has stored a conspicuous distance from the battle. Days after, in his first feedback in regards to the conflict, Mr. Putin known as it “a transparent instance of the USA’ failed coverage within the Center East.”
In subsequent feedback, Mr. Putin continued to accuse the USA of monopolizing the efforts to resolve the battle and of neglecting the elemental political points which might be stopping its decision. He additionally known as for a direct cease-fire and the resumption of talks within the framework of the U.N.-approved two-state answer to the battle.
However as the USA engaged in an intense flurry of talks with regional powers, presenting itself as the principle energy dealer within the Center East, Russia risked its assumed function as one of many main worldwide powers with sufficient clout to be related in all main crises.
Just lately, Russia has been attempting to catch up. Final week, Mr. Putin known as all main leaders within the area, together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. Mr. Bogdanov, the Russian deputy international minister, met with Hamas management in Qatar this week, based on Tass, the Russian state information company. The conferences in Moscow on Thursday constructed on these efforts.
Alexandra Appelberg, an editor with the Detaly information outlet in Israel, stated that “Russia is attempting to display that the West’s plan to isolate it following the invasion of Ukraine has failed and that it performs an essential function.”
Based on Ms. Appelberg, Russia has “virtually no actual levers” that may enable Moscow to affect the scenario, however that it’d wish to “elevate its status within the Arab world.”
Russia has traditionally capitalized on its means to talk to all main events within the ongoing battle. One 12 months after Hamas received the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Mr. Putin met with Khaled Meshaal, then the group’s chief, in Moscow. Regardless of its personal traumatic historical past with terrorism, Russia has by no means designated Hamas as a terrorist group.
Throughout a gathering with Russian non secular leaders within the Kremlin on Thursday, Mr. Putin supplied his condolences to Israeli residents and stated that Russia “is aware of firsthand what worldwide terrorism is all about.”
However he additionally criticized Israel, saying that “the combat towards terrorism can’t be performed on the infamous precept of collective accountability ensuing within the deaths of the aged, girls, kids, total households.”
Mr. Bogdanov additionally met along with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Bagheri Kani, on Thursday. In a press release, the Russian international ministry stated that the 2 sides acknowledged the necessity “to cease armed hostilities within the Gaza Strip and round it.”
Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting.
