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Middle East conflict

Russia considers it necessary to continue contacts with all parties to conflict — Kremlin

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Abu Marzouk, a senior political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Moscow

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Moscow considers it necessary to continue contacts with all parties to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including dialogue with Israel, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"There were reports [about the Hamas delegation's visit to Moscow] along the lines of the Foreign Ministry. We believe it is necessary to continue contacts with all sides and, of course, we will continue our dialogue with Israel," he said in response to a question about Israel's reaction to the Hamas visit to Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Abu Marzouk, a senior political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was in Moscow. According to the ministry, "contacts were held with him in continuation of the Russian line on the immediate release of foreign hostages in the Gaza Strip, [the sides] also discussed issues related to ensuring the evacuation of Russian and other foreign citizens from the territory of the Palestinian enclave."

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the radical Palestinian Hamas movement staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip as it has been delivering rocket attacks on Gaza as well as some districts in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are underway in the West Bank of the Jordan River as well.

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Foreign policy Dmitry Peskov

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