Hamas delegation leader says group views Moscow’s request to release hostages ‘more favorably’ than other countries’ requests

Hamas representative Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, who led the militant group’s delegation to Moscow on Thursday, said in an interview with Russian state media that the organization views Russia’s request to release Russian hostages “more favorably and attentively” than similar requests from other states.

“Most Israelis have citizenship in other countries, and many countries have contacted us with requests regarding their citizens who are detained in the Gaza Strip, including our Russian friends. We view Russia’s request in this regard more favorably and attentively compared to others, due to the nature of our relationship with Russia,” Marzook said.

At the same time, he told journalists, Hamas regards the hostages as Israelis first and foremost.

“We didn’t capture Russians, Frenchmen, Americans, or any other foreigners. To us, all of the people captured are Israelis, though their primary citizenship is being appealed to in hopes of saving them,” he said.