A delegation from the militant Palestinian group Hamas has visited Russia's capital, Moscow. Among the topics discussed was the release of hostages, according to The Guardian.
Leading Hamas member Abu Marzouk was among those who participated in the meeting, as reported by the state-owned Russian news agency Tass.
"He participated in meetings following the Russian course towards the release of foreign hostages in the Gaza Strip," Tass wrote.
Marzouk also reportedly discussed the evacuation of Russians and other foreigners from Gaza.
Russia has ties with key players in the Middle East, including Israel, Iran, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Hamas also issued a statement praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and the foreign ministry for their efforts to end what Hamas calls "Israel's crimes supported by the West," as reported by the Russian news agency Ria.
The Israeli foreign ministry has asked Russia to expel the Hamas delegation.
"Hamas is a terrorist organization that is worse than ISIS. The hands of high-ranking Hamas profiles are stained with the blood of more than 1,400 Israelis who have been slaughtered, murdered, executed, and burned," said a statement from the ministry.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas in response to an attack on October 7 by Hamas, which, according to Israel, killed at least 1,400 people.
In retaliation, Israel has launched severe airstrikes against Gaza and besieged the area. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, over 7,000 people have been killed.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said at a weekly press conference earlier on Thursday that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baghiri Kani is also currently visiting Moscow.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, stated that there are no plans for meetings between the Hamas delegation and Putin.
