The Palestinian movement Hamas proposes that Russia play the main role in resolving the conflict in the Gaza Strip in counterbalance to the United States and Israel, Hamas political bureau deputy head Musa Abu Marzouk told Sputnik on Saturday.
"We want Russia to be the main actor in counterbalance to the US and Israel. We call for it and we propose that Russia be backed by a number of countries which support it in this. And we will seek to achieve this goal to find balance in the issue," Marzouk said.
The movement is ready to work on the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, including Russians, but only after a complete ceasefire is achieved, the official said. The list of hostages can be compiled only after a ceasefire as well, he added.
However, there is still no agreement on truce in the Gaza Strip, and Hamas is losing trust in the Israeli authorities, Marzouk said.
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others, according to Israeli data.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.