Russia–Hamas relations

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Bilateral relations

Hamas–Russia relations

Hamas |
Russia

Russia has diplomatic relations with the political wing of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization which rules the Gaza Strip. Russia has not designated Hamas as a terrorist organization,[1] though it has condemned Hamas attacks as "terrorism" and has taken a hard line against Islamist terrorism. Russia has also maintained relations with Israel.

## History

[edit]

### Immediate post-Soviet relations

[edit]

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at a meeting with Russian officials in Moscow in 2022

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia dramatically improved relations with Israel. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Russian government regularly condemned Hamas attacks, such as the 2004 Beersheba bus bombings that killed 17 people. However, Russia never designated Hamas as a terrorist organization like it did with the Taliban[2] and with several armed groups affiliated with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.[3] In 2005, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov reaffirmed Russia's position that Russia did not consider Hamas a terrorist group and consider it as "an integral part of Palestinian society."[citation needed]

### Hamas takeover of Gaza

[edit]

Relations warmed sharply after the 2006 Palestinian legislative election on 26 January 2006. At his annual press conference on 31 January, After Hamas's victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia had never named Hamas a terrorist group, adding that Russia did not "approve and support everything that Hamas does."[2] Putin was among the first world leaders to congratulate the militant group on their victory in the election.[1]

Since 2006, regular meetings have been held between the Hamas politburo and senior Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials. Khaled Mashal, Hamas's then political leader was hosted on an official visit to Moscow in March 2006.[2] The following year, in 2007, Putin hosted Mashal in Moscow. Mashal praised Putin for his "courage and manliness."[1] In 2020, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Mashal.[2]

### Gaza war

[edit]

During the Gaza war, Russia condemned both the initial Hamas attack and Israel's response.[4] Russia maintained relations with both parties and presented itself as a potential mediator.[5]

After the October 7 attacks, which initiated the war, Russia condemned the attack as "terrorism".[4] Putin sent condolences to the families of the killed Israelis[6] and said Israel had a right to defend itself, describing the Hamas attack as "unprecedented in its cruelty".[7] He also condemned the subsequent Israeli bombardments of Gaza[8] and called for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict.[7] Russian UN diplomats later condemned both the Hamas attack on Israel and Israeli shelling of civilian neighborhoods in Gaza.[9] However, Russia voted against a resolution condemning Hamas at the United Nations General Assembly.[10]

Some commentators said that Russia has grown closer to Hamas and more hostile to Israel.[1][11][12] According to The New York Times, Russian state media and leading social networking platforms spread support for Hamas and denigrated Israel and its main ally, the U.S.[13] Putin has said that the war shows "a clear example of the failure of U.S. policy in the Middle East".[14] On 14 October, Hamas thanked Putin for his "position regarding the ongoing Zionist aggression against our people."[15] On 26 October, Moscow hosted a Hamas political delegation, led by Mousa Abu Marzook, which Israel condemned as "a reprehensible step that gives support to terrorism and legitimacy to the horrific acts of Hamas terrorists."[16] Amid the war's hostage crisis, Hamas released kidnapped Russian-Israeli dual nationals. Hamas described these actions as a gesture of appreciation for Russia's support for the Palestinian cause.[17][18]

In December 2023, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Israel's stated goals in its invasion of Gaza were similar to Russia's stated goals in its invasion of Ukraine.[19][20]

## See also

[edit]

* Russia portal
* Palestine portal
* Politics portal

* Israel–Russia relations
* Palestine–Russia relations
* Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
* Iranian support for Hamas
* Qatari support for Hamas
* Turkish support for Hamas

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Why Russia and Hamas Are Growing Closer". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 25 October 2023.
2. ^ a b c d "The Commonwealth of Independent States Anti-Terrorism Center". Meduza (in Russian). 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
3. ^ "Russian Federation - АТЦ СНГ". Главная страница (in Russian). 19 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
4. ^ a b "Russia calls for international monitoring mission in Gaza". Reuters. 10 December 2023.
5. ^ "Putin cautions Israel against using tactics in Gaza like Nazi siege of Leningrad". Reuters. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
6. ^ "Putin speaks to Netanyahu about Gaza conflict, promises measures to prevent escalation". The Times of India. 18 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
7. ^ a b "Putin Says Israel Has Right to Defend Itself, Calls for a Palestinian State". WSJ. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
8. ^ "Russia says Israeli bombardment of Gaza is against international law". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
9. ^ "Russia condemns Hamas actions on October 7, but cannot turn a blind eye to Gaza shelling". tass.com. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
10. ^ UN News [@UN_News_Centre]. "Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis fails to pass at the UN General Assembly; it did not achieve two-thirds majority". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 30 November 2023.
11. ^ "Hamas Attack Ends a Delicate Entente Between Russia and Israel". WSJ. 6 November 2023.
12. ^ Dubow, Ben (26 October 2023). "Russia Winks to Old Friends in Hamas". CEPA. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
13. ^ Myers, Steven Lee; Frenkel, Sheera (3 November 2023). "In a Worldwide War of Words, Russia, China and Iran Back Hamas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
14. ^ Times, The Moscow (10 October 2023). "Putin Says U.S. Foreign Policy Failure Behind Israel-Hamas War". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
15. ^ "Hamas welcomes Russia's offer for mediation, praises Putin's position". CNN. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
16. ^ Nechepurenko, Ivan (26 October 2023). "Hamas leaders arrive in Moscow as the Kremlin attempts to showcase its clout". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
17. ^ "Hamas thanks Putin for his support as it releases Russian hostage". The Telegraph. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
18. ^ "Hamas to release two Russian hostages in act of 'appreciation' to Putin". The Times of Israel. 29 November 2023.
19. ^ "Lavrov appears to liken Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza to Russia's invasion of Ukraine". Times of Israel. 28 December 2023.
20. ^ "Objectives of Israel's and Russia's Wars 'nearly Identical' – Did Lavrov Shift Position on Gaza?". Palestine Chronicle. 28 December 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Relations of Russia and Hamas at Wikimedia Commons

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* v
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Hamas

History|

| General|

* Original Charter
* Revised Charter
* 1992 deportations
* UNRWA Holocaust dispute
* 25th anniversary of Hamas (2012)

|

Fatah–Hamas conflict|

* Takeover of the Gaza Strip
* 2009 Hamas political violence in Gaza
* Reconciliation process
* Mecca Agreement
* Doha Agreement
* Cairo Agreement
* Algiers Declaration

Gaza–Israel conflict|

* First Intifada
* Second Intifada
* Gaza war
* Hostage crisis
* 2023 ceasefire
* 2025 ceasefire

Governance|

* Hamas government in the Gaza Strip
* 2007
* 2012
* 2016

Political wing|

| People|

* List of leaders of Hamas
* Khaled Mashal
* Ismail Haniyeh
* Yahya Sinwar
* Mohammed Sinwar
* Basem Naim
* Ali Baraka
* Mousa Abu Marzook
* Zaher Jabarin
* Issam al-Da'alis
* Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi
* hospital
* Women: Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti
* Umm Nidal

|

Elections|

* 2005 presidential
* 2006 legislative

Other|

* Hamas temporary committee
* Islamic Salvation Party

Law and order|

* Interior Minister of the Gaza Strip
* Ihab al-Ghussein
* Police
* Faiq Mabhouh
* Palestinian Executive Force [ar]
* Said Seyam
* Palestinian law
* Executions

Military wing|

| Units|

* Palestinian Joint Operations Room
* Al-Qassam Brigades
* Nukbha
* Ayman Nofal
* Tulkarm Brigade
* al-Aqsa Flood Vanguards unit

|

People|

* Leader: Izz al-Din al-Haddad
* Spokesperson: Abu Ubaida
* Saleh al-Arouri
* Emad Akel
* Yahya Ayyash
* Salah Shehade
* Mohammed Deif
* Marwan Issa
* Adnan al-Ghoul
* Mazen Faqha
* Wa'el Nassar
* Ahmed Jabari
* Imad Abbas
* Mahmoud al-Mabhouh
* Nidal Farahat
* Yunis Al Astal
* Ahmed Ghandour
* Women
* Reem Riyashi
* Fatma Omar An-Najar

Operations|

* 1989: Killing of Avi Sasportas and Ilan Saadon
* 1992: Abduction and killing of Nissim Toledano
* 1993: Mehola Junction bombing
* Killing of Yaron Chen
* 1994: Afula bus suicide bombing
* Hadera bus station suicide bombing
* Abduction and killing of Nachshon Wachsman
* Dizengoff Street bus bombing
* Afula axe attack
* 1995: Ramat Gan bus bombing
* Ramat Eshkol bus bombing
* 1996: Jaffa Road bus bombings
* Dizengoff Center suicide bombing
* Murder of Yaron and Efrat Ungar
* 1997: Café Apropo bombing
* Mahane Yehuda Market bombings
* Ben Yehuda Street Bombing
* 2001: Azor attack
* Netanya bombing
* HaSharon Mall suicide bombing
* Dolphinarium discotheque
* Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing
* Nahariya train station suicide bombing
* Haifa bus 16 suicide bombing
* Immanuel bus attack
* 2002: Atzmona attack
* Café Moment bombing
* Park Hotel suicide bombing
* Kiryat HaYovel supermarket bombing
* Matza restaurant suicide bombing
* Yagur Junction bombing
* Rishon LeZion bombing
* Netanya Market bombing
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* 2014: "Operation Devouring Storm"
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* 2021: Unity Intifada
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* "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood"
* Givat Shaul shooting
* Shuja'iyya ambush
* Ra'anana attack
* "Ambush of the Righteous"
* Tal al-Sultan Ambush
* Jaffa shooting
* al-Funduq shooting

Weapons|

* Al-Bana
* Batar
* Qassam rocket
* Yasin (RPG)
* Al-Ghoul rifle

Social services|

* Islamic University of Gaza
* Mujama al-Islamiya
* Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund

Media|

* Al-Aqsa TV
* Tomorrow's Pioneers
* Al-Aqsa Voice Radio
* Al-Quds TV
* Shehab News Agency
* Al-Watan (defunct)

Foreign relations|

* Support from (Iran
* Israel
* Qatar
* Turkey)
* Russia
* Lebanon

Protests|

* 2011–2012 Palestinian protests
* 2019 Gaza economic protests
* 2023 Gaza economic protests
* 2025 Gaza Strip anti-Hamas protests

Related articles|

* Baby beheading hoax
* Criticism of Hamas
* Hamas war crimes
* Hamas most wanted playing cards
* Do you condemn Hamas?
* Palestinian Prisoners' Document

Category:Hamas

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Iran–Israel proxy war

Background|

* Iranian Revolution
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2024 Iran–Israel conflict|

* Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
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* October 2024
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* Background
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Hezbollah–Israel conflict|

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Gaza–Israel conflict|

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Syrian civil war|

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Red Sea crisis|

* 20 July 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
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* December 2024 Israeli airstrikes in Yemen
* 26 December 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
* 10 January 2025 Israeli attack on Yemen
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International incidents|

* Operation Outside the Box
* 2009 Sudan airstrikes
* 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
* 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats
* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2012 Cyprus terrorist plot
* 2012 Burgas bus bombing
* Yarmouk munitions factory explosion
* 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
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Nuclear program of Iran|

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* Stuxnet
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Related|

* Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy war
* Russia–Hamas relations
* Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
* Ahmad Reza Djalali
* Axis of Resistance
* Funding of the Axis of Resistance
* Arab–Israeli alliance
* Abraham Accords
* Warsaw Middle East conference
* People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran
* Little Satan
* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel
* Views on military action against Iran
* Iran and state-sponsored terrorism
* Iranian support for Hamas
* Iranian support for the Houthis
* Israel and state-sponsored terrorism
* Quds Day
* Prisoner X2
* Tehran
* Israeli war crimes
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* 2024 leak of U.S. intelligence on Israeli strike plans

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