Russia, Hamas Leaders Break the Ice

by The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

First high-level conversation between Russia and Hamas in months takes place between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh • Lavrov calls for "quick lifting" of Gaza blockade to "relieve a difficult humanitarian situation."

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh | Photo credit: AP

Gaza Strip Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh held a rare phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, Gaza's Hamas government has announced.

Hamas government spokesman Taher Nunu said Haniyeh spoke with Lavrov for 35 minutes. He said the men discussed Israel's peace talks with the rival Palestinian government in the West Bank, the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip and "common relations."

Hamas, an Islamic terrorist group committed to Israel's destruction, is largely shunned by the international community. Although Russia has in the past hosted Hamas officials, the phone call was the first high-level conversation in months.

In a statement issued by Russia's Foreign Ministry, Lavrov called for a "quick lifting" of the blockade on Gaza to "help relieve a difficult humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population." He also voiced his support for an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement.

According to the Russian statement, Haniyeh told Lavrov about the social and economic situation in Gaza and discussed overcoming differences between Hamas and its rival government in the West Bank.

Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the forces of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Repeated attempts at reconciliation by the two governments have failed.

The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=13969

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