The Russian Federation Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, was summoned by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a Sunday morning in late October to convey Israel’s protest over a Hamas delegation visiting Moscow. The notification came from the Israeli press service cited by RIA News.
The Israeli side stated that Ambassador Simone Halperin, Deputy Director General for Eurasian Affairs at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, told Viktorov that Israel also expected a clear and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas from Moscow. The message emphasized that Russia’s stance in international forums should reflect that condemnation.
Israel asserted that hosting leaders of Hamas, who are identified with the October 7 attacks and the taking of hostages, as well as the destruction of numerous Israeli lives and property, signals a tolerance for terrorism against Israelis. This event, according to Israeli officials, risks suggesting to the international community that terrorism could be legitimized when linked to a political dialogue.
It was noted that a Hamas delegation had previously visited Moscow. Israel described that prior visit as an act of support for terrorism and urged Moscow to refrain from further contact with the delegation. The Kremlin responded that Russia would continue to engage with all parties involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In a separate briefing, the Kremlin spokesperson stated that there would be no contact with Hamas in Moscow. Additional context was referenced in the Moscow coverage of the topic.
On 7 October, Hamas forces launched a large-scale rocket campaign into Israel, followed by the initiation of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. The fighting led to thousands of militants infiltrating Israeli territory, the seizure of military equipment, and the taking of more than a hundred hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war and would respond decisively.
The Israel Defense Forces launched a broad operation coined Iron Swords, with the aim of eradicating Hamas infrastructure. The Israeli Air Force targeted hundreds of Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip, and Israel’s National Security Council decided to impose severe restrictions on essential supplies to the Gaza Strip, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, in an effort to undermine militant capabilities.
There has been ongoing discussion about the potential timeline for reaching a resolution or ceasefire in the conflict, with officials in Moscow indicating a willingness to maintain dialogue while stressing the need for stability and a durable political process in the region. The evolving positions of key international actors continue to shape the prospects for dialogue, security assurances, and humanitarian considerations amid the unfolding crisis. Attribution: reporting from international agencies and government spokespeople covered the developments as they occurred.