The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a key negotiator and head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement, undermines prospects for peace and diminishes the chances of returning hostages, according to Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov. He made these comments during an interview on the TV channel "Russia-24."
Viktorov highlighted that Haniyeh played a crucial role in Hamas’s international relations and was a key negotiator in mediated talks between Israel and Hamas, which involved Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, focusing on ceasefire and hostage release.
"The Jerusalem Post recently featured a headline, 'We are not giving up hope,' referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, actions like this assassination weaken what little hope remains for resolving the situation and securing the return of hostages," Viktorov said. "Haniyeh was a prominent political figure and negotiator. We condemn this assassination as a significant blow to the possibility of finding a peaceful resolution to the current crisis."
The ambassador also criticized the assassination as an "obvious attempt to drag regional countries," such as Iran, into the conflict. He emphasized the need to address the root causes of the confrontation by seeking an immediate ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid, and pursuing a peaceful resolution. "Rather than escalating military actions, it is essential to focus on de-escalating the conflict in Gaza and working toward a peaceful and political solution," Viktorov concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Jose Antonio Alba\Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS