United Against Terror
How Do We Fight the Darkness
October 7th, 2023. The Black Shabbat day.
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On that day, Hamas attacked Israel, murdered more than 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians and took more than 200 hostages. Along the way, it also captured several Israeli military bases near the border and held onto them for some time. In one day.
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How did they manage to achieve this? Many people at different levels of our government and expert community are engaged in the search for an answer to this question. It is likely that there is no one simple answer.
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Many factors have been at play, from the failures of our government and military to internal divisions in our society, and the geopolitical changes that have recently taken place in our world.
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In this story, we will only examine one of these factors. One, but so important nevertheless. One of the biggest reasons for the success of Hamas is, unsurprisingly, the external support that this organisation receives from its allies.
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After all, Hamas has never been alone in its jihad against Israel. We know about Hezbollah. We are preparing for a war with them. We also know about Iran. Iran and its proxies. We have been preparing for a war with them for years now.
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So it is Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas. Who else? Russia? What do we know about Russia? Well, we do not know much, unfortunately. The reason for that is not because Russia is not involved. It is because our government does not talk much about the role of Russia in supporting our enemies.
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The sensitivity of our relations with Russia since the latter sent its troops accompanied with air defence systems to Syria in 2015 prevents our leaders from speaking openly about the danger posed by Russia.
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However, it is a fact that Russia has a long history of working closely with Iran and its proxies, including Hamas. Russia's relationships with Hamas and Iran form a multifaceted network of political, diplomatic, military, and technological interactions.
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Hamas’s recent attack against Israel highlighted various dimensions of this mutual support, including weapon supplies, sharing military technologies and intelligence, political and propaganda support, cyberattacks, and many more.
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It is also a fact that all these actors do not even hide that they benefit from each other’s actions aimed at destroying the rule-based world as we know it. They are openly grateful to each other. Their attacks on Israel and Ukraine, while seemingly unconnected, help each of them achieve their goals in a more efficient way.
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The exposure of these connections in the wake of the recent attack offers a moment for understanding their implications for Israeli and global security.
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We do not aim to provide a comprehensive picture of relations between Russia, Hamas, and Iran, but rather offer a high-level overview of the events that happened since October 7th, 2023, specifically the events that bring to light the interconnections between these actors.
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We hope that this will help us all better understand who we fight against.
Part I: Russia's Response to Attack Against Israel
What was the reaction of the Russian government to Hamas’s attack against Israel on October 7th, 2023?
Russia denies Israel’s right to self-defense
Ynet quotes Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzi saying that "Israel, as an occupying power, has no right to self-defence, as confirmed by the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in 2004."
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In response, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, said that Russia is using Hamas' attack on Israel in an "extremely perverse way" to divert the world's attention from the war in Ukraine.
Putin calls for establishing a Palestinian state
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has been vocal in his support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. In a statement highlighted by Middle East Monitor, Putin reiterated Russia’s unwavering position supporting the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state, and the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions.
He emphasized that this stance is not new but has been consistent over decades.
Lavrov believes that Putin's objectives in Ukraine will be achieved faster
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by Bloomberg saying that "President Vladimir Putin’s objectives 'will be achieved faster'" if the U.S. focus on the Israel conflict results in a slowdown of arms deliveries to Kyiv. This highlights Russia’s strategic positioning to benefit from the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Apparently, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal also thinks so. In his interview he says: "The Russians told us that what happened on October 7th would be taught in military academies."
Putin refuses to condemn Hamas
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According to a report from CBC News, Putin’s response to the Hamas attack on Israel was notably muted. He described the level of violence as "very high on both sides" but did not single out Hamas for the attack.
This suggested a shift in Russia's stance, indicating a closer alignment with Iran, a known supporter of Hamas, and a departure from its previously friendly relations with Israel.
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Globes reports a significant silence from Putin towards Israel, indicating a broader shift in Russia's Middle East policy. There's an evident recalibration of alliances, with Russia strengthening its ties with Iran and Arab nations, a stark departure from its earlier cautious and balanced diplomacy.
Putin compares Israeli actions to Nazi's blockade of Leningrad
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, made a striking comparison between the Israeli actions in Gaza and the Nazi's blockade of Leningrad during World War II. This comparison effectively equated Israelis with Nazis, marking a significant departure from Putin’s previously warm relationship with Israel and indicating a broader anti-Western sentiment and alignment with Palestinian causes.
Makor Rishon reports that Putin has criticized both sides for civilian casualties but has placed significant blame on Israeli airstrikes and settlements. Russian and Belarusian media outlets are echoing a narrative of Palestinian resistance against Israeli oppression, indicating a media bias and Russia’s apparent support for Hamas.
Russian Propaganda Attacks Israel
As highlighted in the report by National Post, Russia’s state media and online propagandists have been accused of celebrating the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the attacks on Jews, with barely concealed joy.
They framed Hamas’ success as indicative of Western weakness and asserted that the renewed Middle East conflict would divert attention and aid away from Ukraine.
The report also mentioned that some Russian personalities taunted Russian Jews in Israel who fled Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and found themselves amidst another conflict.
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported that an online program called Izolenta Live featured pro-Kremlin pundit Tigran Keosayan, the husband of state media executive and RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan, expressing explicit contentment with the crisis in Israel.
As captured by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Keosayan stated that any global conflict is beneficial for Russia, especially when it collides with the interests of the United States.
This sentiment was echoed by other pro-Kremlin commentators who viewed the Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing violence as an opportunity to criticize the West and attack anti-war Russians who relocated to Israel following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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Arkady Mil-Man, a former Israeli Ambassador to Russia and a senior researcher and the Institute for National Security Studies highlights a strong display of schadenfreude, anti-Semitism, and hatred in Russia's public and media reactions towards Israel.
Putin's comparison of the IDF to Nazi forces and echoing anti-Semitic sentiments in official media outlets reflect Russia’s official stance reminiscent of Soviet hostility towards Israel.
Part II: Russia's Direct Support For Hamas
So far, we have seen evidence of political and diplomatic support. But do we know if Russia has been involved directly in supporting Hamas?
Hamas produces weapons with Russian approval
A senior Hamas official disclosed in an interview with Russia Today’s Arabic-news channel, as reported by CNN, that Hamas has local factories for a variety of weapons including rockets and bullets for Kalashnikovs (rifles).
He stated, “We’re manufacturing the bullets with permission from the Russians.” This revelation underscores the alleged support or at least, the approval of Russia in Hamas’s weapon production.
According to Israel Hayom, Ukrainian military intelligence claims that Russia is supplying light weapons to Hamas, incorporating tactics similar to those observed in the conflict in Ukraine.
These allegations suggest a direct military support from Russia to Hamas, although Israeli officials have dismissed these claims.
Hamas delegation visits Russia
A delegation from Hamas visited Moscow on October 26th according to Reuters. Hamas released its own statement in which it praised the efforts of Russia's President Vladimir Putin and foreign ministry to end what it called "the crimes of Israel that are supported by the West", according to Russia's RIA news agency.
Hamas is grateful to Russia
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Hamas expressed gratitude to Putin for his supportive stance. As reported by Meduza, Hamas appreciated Putin’s comparison of the measures against the Gaza Strip to the Leningrad blockade during WWII and his call for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through peace talks.
The goal, according to Putin, should be “the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Russians initiate cyberattacks against Israel
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A report from Ynet reveals that "Anonymous Sudan," a hacker group associated with Russia, has joined in cyberattacks against Israel. They're working in collaboration with Killnet, another group with ties to the Kremlin, and several Muslim and Palestinian hacker groups, marking Russia’s indirect involvement against Israel in the cyber realm.
Part III: Russia and Iran
What is Russia’s motivation for supporting Hamas, besides benefitting from distracting the USA and Europe from supporting Ukraine?
One obvious reason is Russia’s dependence on Iran for the supply of Iranian kamikaze drones that Russia uses against Ukraine. It is clear now that Iran wants something in return.
Russia defies UN sanctions against Iran
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Ynet reports that Russia announced that it will no longer adhere to UN-imposed restrictions on missile technology exports to Iran, in the midst of the Ukraine war and conflict with Hamas.
This announcement intensifies concerns that Moscow might aid Tehran in advancing its nuclear and missile programs. This decision coincides with Russia's strengthened ties with Iran and a notable silence on Hamas’s terrorist activities, underlining a geopolitical struggle with the US and potential escalations in regional conflicts.
Iran finalizes deal to buy Russian fighter jets
Report by Reuters says that Iran has finalised arrangements for the delivery of Russian made Sukhoi su-35 fighter jets and helicopters. "Plans have been finalised for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet trainers to join the combat units of Iran's Army," Iran's deputy Defence Minister Mehdi Farahi said.
Russia’s Wagner Group plans to send air defenses to Hezbollah
According to The Wall Street Journal, Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary organization, plans to provide an air-defense system to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, U.S. officials say, citing intelligence.