Israel has called on Russia to expel a visiting Hamas delegation and called its invitation to Moscow “deplorable”. 

The Hamas delegation visited Moscow today for talks on the release of foreign hostages, including Russian citizens. 

Senior Hamas member Abu Marzouk was among those in attendance, Russian news agency TASS reported.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization worse than ISIS,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement. 

“The hands of senior Hamas figures are covered with the blood of more than 1400 Israelis who were slaughtered, murdered, executed and burned, and they are responsible for the abduction of more than 220 Israelis, including babies, children, women and the elderly.”

Russia has ties to all key players in the Middle East, including Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and Iran.