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On January 19, 2024, a Hamas delegation, led by Hamas international relations Moussa Abu Marzouq, visited Moscow, in the organization's second visit to Russia since its October 7 attack on Israel. The delegation met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who is also Putin's special envoy to the Middle East.
MEMRI recently documented Hamas-Russia relations in an extensive report: As Hamas Visits Its 'Closest Friend' Moscow, Questions Surround Russia's Knowledge Of, Involvement In October 7 Hamas Attack: A Review Of Russia-Hamas Ties and Strategic Relationship.
Hamas: "The Crimes Of The Zionist Occupation Constitute A Serious Threat To International Peace And Security"
According to a statement released by Hamas, the two sides conducted political consultations at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Marzouq was accompanied at the meetings by Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim and the organization's representative in Moscow.
The talks, according to the statement, centered on "ways to enact a ceasefire to achieve an end to the aggression against our Palestinian people and on clarifying Hamas's position and policies for dealing with the matter of [Israeli] prisoners held by the resistance."
The Hamas delegation said in a statement that that "the crimes of the Zionist occupation, and its behavior against our people and the peoples of the region, constitute a serious threat to international peace and security." It added that the Palestinian people have a right to "achieve freedom and return, and to resist the Zionist occupation by all available means."
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov, in turn, expressed Russia's support for the rights of the Palestinian people, as well as the country's efforts to achieve a ceasefire, according to a Hamas statement.
According to Russian Foreign Ministry statement, Bogdanov also emphasized "the need for the speedy release of civilians captured during the attacks on October 7, 2023 and held by Palestinian factions, including three Russian citizens."
A Hamas delegation including Marzouq (second from left), Naim (right), and Hamas's representative to Moscow (left) with Bogdanov (second from right) in Moscow on January 19, 2023.
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