Russia condemns killing of Hamas leader as 'political murder'
Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran March 27, 2024. Iran's Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout PHOTO via REUTERS
The killing of Hamas' chief political leader Ismail Haniyeh is "an absolutely unacceptable political murder", a deputy Russian foreign minister told RIA state news agency on Wednesday.
"This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," RIA cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying.
Bogdanov said the killing will also have a negative impact on ceasefire talks in Gaza, RIA added.
Russia, which has relationships with Arab countries, Iran and Hamas as well as with Israel, has frequently condemned violence in the region and accused the United States of ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state.