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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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Interviews

Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Syrian revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere.”

He stressed that Syria “will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country.”

Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, Al-Sharaa said the Syrian opposition’s actions had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

Asked why Syria has yet to send a direct message to the Gulf and major Arab nations, Al-Sharaa responded by saying that his country has much to say to its Arab neighbors.

“Syria had become a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilize the Gulf with drugs like Captagon,” he said.

He added: “By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses.”

Al-Sharaa also criticized efforts to restore ties with the former Syrian regime, including its return to the Arab League in exchange for concessions.

“We were confident this would fail because we knew the regime would not make any genuine concessions or approach these overtures in good faith,” he said.

He claimed that during a meeting with Jordanian officials, the former regime was asked why it insisted on exporting Captagon to Jordan.

“The response was that it would not stop unless sanctions were lifted," Al-Sharaa said, adding “this is not how the regime operates.”

He emphasized that Gulf strategic security has since improved. “Today, the Iranian project in the region has been pushed back 40 years, making the Gulf more secure and stable.”

When asked if he would give reassurances on Syria not becoming a refuge for certain figures, Al-Sharaa dismissed concerns about hosting figures who cause concern for some Arab nations, saying Syria will not become a haven for controversial individuals.

“We are now focused on state-building. The revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere. Syria will not be a platform to threaten or unsettle any Arab or Gulf country,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks to rebuild and strengthen ties with Arab nations. “Syria is tired of wars and being used for others’ agendas. We want to restore trust and rebuild our country as part of the Arab world.”

He praised the Gulf’s progress, saying: “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria.”

He added: “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals.”

On Syria’s relationship with its neighbor Lebanon, Al-Sharaa acknowledged concerns raised by Lebanese counterparts about him reaching Damascus, fearing it could strengthen one faction over another in Lebanon.

“We are not seeking any form of dominance over Lebanon,” he said. “We want a relationship based on mutual respect and exchange, without interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs. We have enough work to do in our own country.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s intention to maintain balanced relations, saying he aims “to stand equally with all Lebanese groups, and what pleases them, pleases us.”

Al-Sharaa was asked about a national dialogue conference and a new constitution to guide Syria’s future, and the mechanism that he plans to ensure inclusivity for all Syrians in the process, especially among the base of supporters and fighters who do not necessarily agree with his current moderate speech.

Al-Sharaa acknowledged differing opinions but emphasized he does not want to impose his personal views on Syrians.

“I believe in letting legal experts shape the relationship between citizens, with the law as the guide,” he said.

“Syria is diverse, and it's natural for there to be different opinions. This difference is healthy.”

Al-Sharaa stressed that the recent victory is for all Syrians, not one group over another.

“Even those we thought were loyal to the old regime expressed joy, as they had not been able to openly express their feelings before,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that Syrians, regardless of their background, are aware enough to protect their country.

“My aim is to reach a broad agreement and build a country where the rule of law helps resolve our differences,” Al-Sharaa concluded.

On the complex issue of forced disappearances and individuals missing in prisons and mass graves, Al-Sharaa said the previous regime was a criminal gang, not a political system.

“We fought a brutal group that committed crimes like arrests, forced disappearances, killings, displacement, starvation, chemical attacks, and torture,” he said.

He stressed that while the regime is gone, the focus should be on justice, not revenge.

“We must not approach this with a desire for vengeance,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stated that those responsible for crimes like the Saydnaya prison and chemical attacks must be held accountable.

“Their names are known and they must be pursued,” he said. He also affirmed that families have the right to file complaints against unknown perpetrators.

Al-Sharaa outlined efforts to address the issue of missing persons. “We’ve broken the barriers, and specialized organizations are now helping with this task,” he said.

A new ministry will be set up to track the fate of the missing, both the deceased and the living.

“This will also assist families with documents like death certificates and inheritance,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the need to uncover the truth. “This is a big task, but we must find the truth,” Al-Sharaa said.

When asked about hosting the interview at the People’s Palace, the same location where Bashar al-Assad once sat, Al-Sharaa responded with a light-hearted laugh.

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable at all,” he said. “But this is a place that should be open to the people, a site where they can visit and where children can play in these courtyards.”