Haniyeh visits Moscow to discuss ‘deal of the century’

Ismail Haniyeh is in Moscow to discuss Russia’s role in endorsing Palestinian rights as well as the threats posed by the US “deal of the century”, a spokesman for Hamas has revealed.

The Head of the movement’s Political Bureau is accompanied by senior officials, added Hazim Qasim.

The delegation will also brief Russian officials about the ongoing Israeli attacks on Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Palestinian holy sites across the occupied territories.

Haniyeh and his colleagues are scheduled to hold detailed discussions with Deputy Foreign Minister and presidential envoy to the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov ahead of a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

READ: The latest Israeli attack on Gaza was intended to satisfy the electorate

While in Moscow, the Hamas delegation will also meet members of the State Duma and the Council of the Federation, the lower and upper chambers of the Federal Assembly respectively.

In addition, Haniyeh is expected to meet with the Council of Russian Islamic Jurists and officials of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, sources say that this visit has been postponed several times over the past year due to pressure on Moscow from the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.

However, the sources claim, the dramatic changes in the Middle East have pushed Russia to invite the Hamas delegation to Moscow on this occasion.