Russian Envoy Defends Hamas Ties, Citing Role in Hostage Release Efforts
Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, has publicly defended Russia's continued engagement with Hamas, despite criticism from Israel. Viktorov stated that these contacts are crucial for humanitarian efforts, particularly in securing the release of hostages. He clarified that Russia does not view Hamas as an organization it created or supports, but rather as a product of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Viktorov, severing ties with Hamas would hinder Russia's ability to address humanitarian issues. He highlighted that a significant portion of Russia's interactions with Hamas representatives since October 2023 has focused on facilitating the release of Israeli hostages, including Russian citizens. The ambassador emphasized that while Russia does not align with Israel's stance on Hamas's status, this does not prevent Moscow from maintaining communication with various Palestinian factions. He also reiterated Russia's support for the establishment of a Palestinian state coexisting peacefu... 
