Senior Hamas Official Arrives in Russia, State Media Reports

October 23, 2024

Hamas senior member Abu Marzouk in Qatar — Moussa Abu Marzouk. FILE PHOTO/REUTERS./

MOSCOW, Oct 23 (Reuters) – A senior member of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that controls Gaza, Mousa Abu Marzouk has arrived in Moscow on a planned visit, Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday, citing a diplomatic source.

Senior Hamas officials Bassem Naim and Moussa Abu Marzouk, and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov meet for talks on the release of foreign hostages, at a location given as Moscow, Russia in this handout image released on October 26, 2023. REUTERS./FILE PHOTO

Hamas politburo member, Abu Marzouk, intends to hold a series of meetings with Russian officials, RIA said without providing any further details.

Russia has ties to all key players in the Middle East, including Israel, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Moscow has repeatedly blamed the current crisis in the Middle East on the failure of U.S. diplomacy, and called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the resumption of talks aimed at finding a peace settlement.

(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Maxim Rodionov Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)