Delegates from Hamas in Moscow have disclosed a set of demands necessary for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
During their visit to Moscow, a Hamas delegation conveyed to the Russian state-controlled news outlet Kommersant that the group is steadfast in its demand for a ceasefire agreement with Israel before they release the hostages.
Read Also Journalists Paying High Price in Israel-Hamas Conflict as Total Figure of Those Killed Emerges
Abu Hamid, a member of the delegation, emphasized that there is still work to be done in locating all the hostages taken to Gaza.
Hamid stated, “Hundreds of citizens and dozens of militants from various Palestinian factions entered the territories occupied in 1948. After the fall of the Israeli Gaza Division, they captured dozens of people, most of them civilians. We need time to find them in the Gaza Strip and subsequently release them.”
Israeli Strike Kills Hamas Commander Behind Nirim Attack, IDF Reports
He also raised concerns about Israeli bombings, alleging that they have resulted in the deaths of 50 Hamas prisoners. Hamid stressed the importance of creating a “calm environment” for negotiating any hostage releases. According to Reuters, Hamas is believed to have kidnapped 224 people from Israel and has, so far, released four hostages.
Eliminate Hamas, But Don’t Occupy Gaza – Biden to Israel
During their visit to Moscow, led by Mousa Abu Marzook, a founder and political leader of Hamas, the delegation explained the reasons behind the surprise attack on southern Israel that occurred on October 7.
Hamid emphasized the positive relationship between the Palestinian people and the Russian Federation, stating, “The Russian Federation is a friendly country for the Palestinian people and maintains relations with all representatives of the Palestinian people. We are always ready to consult with [it] on various issues,” as reported by Kommersant.
Hamas meeting with Russia
Israel viewed the meeting with Russia as an “undignified step” and called for the expulsion of the Hamas officials. Russia, however, maintained that the focus of the meeting was on hostage release and exploring avenues for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
Russia has a long history of supporting Palestinians, having been one of the first countries to recognize a Palestinian state in 1988.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of “consequences” if Israel were to proceed with a ground offensive in Gaza, expressing concerns about the potential for the crisis to escalate and its far-reaching consequences.
He also accused the West of exacerbating the conflict, alleging that their aim is to “launch a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but also far beyond its borders, playing on the national and religious feelings of millions of people.”
The United States and Arab countries have also urged Israel to postpone any invasion of Gaza, citing concerns about civilian casualties and the potential for an expanded conflict.
Credit: News Week
