Peskov stated that Hamas does not have a “Kremlin program” in Moscow

Moscow considers it necessary to maintain contacts with all parties to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This was stated by presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

“There was a message through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We continue and consider it necessary to continue our contacts with all parties and, of course, we will continue our dialogue with Israel,” he said, clarifying that Hamas representatives had no contacts with the Kremlin.

When asked whether there was progress in hostage negotiations, Peskov redirected journalists to the Russian Foreign Ministry. “Here I have nothing to add, I repeat once again, to what I said,” Peskov added.

October 26, representatives of the Palestinian group Hamas arrived on a visit to Moscow. Later, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that during the visit of Hamas Politburo member Abu Marzouk discussed the release of foreigners from the group’s captivity, as well as issues related to ensuring the evacuation of Russian and other foreign citizens from the territory of the Palestinian enclave. Peskov then emphasizedthat all contacts are planned only through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russian President Vladimir Putin does not have such meetings in his plans.

Israeli Foreign Ministry demanded “immediately expel” Hamas from Russia. The ministry noted that Tel Aviv considers inviting representatives of the Palestinian movement to Moscow as an “undignified step.” They emphasized that the Hamas leadership is responsible for the deaths of more than 1,400 and the kidnapping of more than 220 Israelis.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, when the Palestinian group Hamas began military operations against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by launching Operation Iron Swords, striking hundreds of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government announced that the country had entered a state of war. As a result of the fighting, according to the latest data, about 8,500 people were killed, including, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 7,000 from the Gaza Strip.