The Russian foreign ministry said on Friday it had received a delegation from the Hamas movement and had urged it to release hostages the group is holding in the Gaza strip, including three Russian nationals.
The ministry said in a statement that Mikhail Bogdanov, a deputy foreign minister, had received Hamas Politburo member Abu Marzouk.
"During the conversation, the focus was on the ongoing confrontation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, against the backdrop of which the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached catastrophic proportions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The Russian side stressed the need for the speedy release of civilians captured during the attacks of 7 October 2023 and held by Palestinian factions, including three Russian citizens - A. Kozlov, A. Lobanov and A. Trufanov."
Hamas posted on their online platforms that "The Hamas leadership delegation held political consultations with the Russian Foreign Ministry to discuss means of a ceasefire in order to achieve an end to the aggression against our Palestinian people, and to clarify the movement’s position and policies for dealing with the file of prisoners held by the resistance.
"The Hamas leadership delegation pointed out that the crimes of the Zionist occupation, and its behavior against our people and the peoples of the region, constitute a serious threat to international peace and security.
"The delegation stressed the right of our Palestinian people to achieve freedom and return, and their right to resist the Zionist occupation by all available means.
"In turn, Mr. Bogdanov expressed his country's position in support of the rights of the Palestinian people, and his country's efforts with the parties concerned to reach a ceasefire. The delegation praised these diplomatic efforts, and the official and popular Russian humanitarian aid to provide relief to our people in the Gaza Strip."
Russian talks with Israel
In a separate statement, issued later on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Bogdanov also held talks with Israel's ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin.
The ministry said Russia supported a comprehensive Middle East settlement based on UN Security Council decisions.
The Israeli ambassador, it said, "was also informed about the purposeful efforts of Russian diplomacy in the interests of the immediate and unconditional release of civilians held in the Gaza Strip, including Russians."