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Hamas Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Briefed Russia on Causes Behind Oct. 7 Attack

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouk and Bassem Naim in Moscow (Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouk and Bassem Naim in Moscow (Reuters)
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Hamas Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Briefed Russia on Causes Behind Oct. 7 Attack

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouk and Bassem Naim in Moscow (Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouk and Bassem Naim in Moscow (Reuters)

Hamas is ready to discuss a deal to release civilian prisoners, said politburo member Moussa Abu Marzouk.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Abu Marzouk praised Moscow's positions, saying that active Russian diplomacy "is working to put an end to Israeli crimes."

Abu Marzouk, leading the group's delegation during the Moscow visit, asserted that the Hamas movement appreciates the Russian just and humane position, especially that of President Vladimir Putin.

He lauded the Russian efforts and diplomacy in working to put an end to the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, adding that Russia is "a friendly country."

The delegation briefed Russian officials on the circumstances that led to the October 7 attack and presented the movement's vision of the current events and mechanisms for dealing with them.

They emphasized the right of the Palestinian people to resist the Israeli occupation.

- "The prisoners are our guests."

The Palestinian official said that since day one, Hamas presented its vision for the civilian prisoners, asserting that the group wants to release all civilian detainees and foreigners who do not hold Israeli citizenship.

During the interview, he said: "The prisoners are our guests" until the appropriate conditions are available for their release, asserting that the severe Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip complicates the process.

The prisoners' issue was also discussed in Moscow during the group's meetings with Russian officials, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry official.

Abu Marzouk explained that after the Israeli army's Gaza division fell, hundreds of citizens and dozens of fighters from various Palestinian factions entered the occupied territories and arrested dozens, most of them civilians.

He indicated that the group needs some time to search, classify them, and release them.

However, it can't be done because of the intense Israeli bombing, as the destructive force of the Israeli bombs that fell on Gaza during the 20 days is equivalent to the nuclear bomb that struck Hiroshima.

- A crushing defeat

The Hamas official hoped Russia and other countries would be successful in their efforts to stop the war, asserting that the Israeli threat to launch a ground invasion would fail.

The Israeli army was subjected to a crushing defeat, and its strongest military division fell within five hours by no more than 1,500 fighters aiming to expel the occupation, said the official.

He indicated that the Israeli enemy is mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers with the support of the US and the West.

Abu Marzouk told Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington sent its largest aircraft carrier, with the second on its way, and has sent nearly two thousand soldiers from the special forces.

The Western countries are mobilizing forces in countries in the eastern Mediterranean, said the Hamas official, stressing that this Western-backed aggression is doomed to defeat and the morale of the resistance fighters is high.

- Russian role

Meanwhile, Hamas politburo member Hossam Badran said that Russia is capable of playing an essential role in ending the war and delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.

Badran said Hamas appreciates Russia's role at the international level, especially its use of veto power in response to the US position, which supports the occupation endlessly.

He stressed that Russia can play a more significant role in ending the aggression against the people in Gaza and exert international pressure to deliver urgent aid to the Strip.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Russia discussed, during a meeting with a leading Hamas delegation in Moscow, releasing foreign hostages and evacuating Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip.

The official Novosti news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying, "Contacts were held with him in continuation of the Russian line on the immediate release of foreign hostages in the Gaza Strip. Issues related to ensuring the evacuation of Russian and other foreign citizens from the territory of the Palestinian enclave were also discussed."

- Palestinian state

The meeting affirmed Russia's firm position in support of implementing the well-known resolutions issued by the international community, including the relevant Security Council resolutions, which stipulate the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders that includes its occupied territories with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Hamas delegation held talks behind closed doors with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Washington criticized the visit, saying it was not the time to provide support to Hamas.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.