The Israeli government condemned Russia’s meeting with a group of Hamas representatives as an “obscene step” and called on Moscow to “expel the Hamas terrorists immediately,” according to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reuters reported Thursday, citing Russian news agencies, that a group of representatives from the Palestinian militant group Hamas was invited to Moscow to hold talks on the release of foreign hostages who were taken during the October 7 attacks on southern Israel. At least six of the hostages still being held by Hamas have Russian citizenship, the Israeli government said Wednesday.
Among those who traveled to Moscow include senior Hamas member Abu Marzouk and former Gaza Health Minister Basem Naim, according to the Associated Press (AP). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov reportedly hosted the group.
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In a statement Thursday shared to X, formerly Twitter, Lior Haiat, spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that the meeting was seen by Tel Aviv as Moscow offering “support to terrorism and legitimizes the atrocities of Hamas terrorists.”
“Hamas is a terrorist organization worse than ISIS,” read the statement.
“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,” it continued. “Israel sees the invitation of senior Hamas officials to Moscow as an obscene step that gives support to terrorism and legitimizes the atrocities of Hamas terrorists. We call on the Russian government to expel the Hamas terrorists immediately.”
Newsweek reached out to Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Russia has repeatedly blamed the U.S. for the current crisis between Israel and Palestinians and has called for a ceasefire on both sides. According to Reuters’ report, Hamas released a statement after Thursday’s meeting in Moscow, praising Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to end what it described as “the crimes of Israel that are supported by the West.”
Hamas has long been funded by Russia’s military ally, Iran, although the Iranian government has denied involvement with Hamas’ surprise attacks earlier this month. U.S. officials have also said that they have seen no “hard evidence” that Iran assisted with the assault, and there is no proof that Russia was involved in the Hamas operation.
The Times of Israel reported Thursday that Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baghiri Kani also attended the meeting in Moscow with members of Hamas. Both Reuters and AP noted that Baghiri Kani was visiting Moscow on Thursday, but it is unclear if he attended the meeting with Hamas officials.
AP did report that Baghiri Kani held a meeting with Bogdanov, who serves as the Kremlin envoy for the Middle East, on Thursday.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.