Hamas delegation visits Russia as Israel’s invasion looms: report

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Palestinian militant group Hamas is currently visiting Moscow. However, no details about the unannounced trips were revealed.

Senior Hamas member Abu Marzook is also part of the delegation, according to a Reuters report citing Russian state media. It is unclear if Hamas representatives would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The news comes hours after Israeli troops and tanks launched a brief ground raid into northern Gaza. The military struck several militant targets in order to “prepare the battlefield” ahead of a widely expected ground invasion after more than two weeks of devastating air raids.

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During the raid, the military said soldiers struck fighters, militant infrastructure and anti-tank missile launching positions. There were no immediate reports of casualties on either side, news agency Associated Press reported.

(With AP inputs)