Visiting Moscow Today, Hamas Delegation Expects Russian Aid To Relieve Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza

Humanitarian aid trucks crossed into Gaza via Zikim and Kerem SALom Crossing. (Twitter/@WFP)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Politburo Hamas Mousa Abu Marzook will lead the group's delegation to Moscow today, to ask Russia for help to defuse the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip region, Palestine.

"We will ask for help to defuse the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," a source in the Hamas leadership told TASS, as quoted on February 3, outlining the purpose of the delegation scheduled for today.

The Palestinian militant group also hopes to seek Russian support to provide "pressure on the invaders (Israel) to comply with its commitments," the source said.

The previous Hamas delegation visit to Moscow was carried out in October 2024. The Russian Foreign Ministry at that time stated that the Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa as well as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip with the deputy chairman of the Hamas politburo, by paying special attention to the issue of the release of the Russian hostages who dumped him in the enclave.

This January, Bogdanov held a telephone conversation with Mousa Abu Marzook and Khaled Mashal, chairman of the Hamas political bureau.

On January 24, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced in another conversation with Abu Marzook, Bogdanov reaffirmed Moscow's interest in prioritizing the release of Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov and native Donbass Maxim Kharkin from the Gaza Strip.

It is known that the latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and causing 250 others to be held hostage, according to Israeli calculations.

As of yesterday, the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza since the latest conflict broke out has reached 47,498 people, while the injured have reached 111,592, the majority of women and children, quoted from WAFA.

On January 15, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced a gradual ceasefire with Israel, after months of mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

It took effect on January 19 after several hours of delay, followed by the release of sanders and detainees on each party which was carried out in stages.

During the first phase of the 42-day deal, Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody. The name of Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov, who also holds Israeli citizenship, is listed on the list of 33 hostages published by Israeli media Kan.