Last updated: 11.10.2023, 05:23 a.m.
By: Kathrin Braun
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Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi. (Archive photo) © Iranian Presidency/dpa
Several powers seem to be involved in the war in the Middle East: Hamas is said to have received support from Iran – which in turn does close business with Russia. Experts say: the Kremlin is profiting from the conflict.
Munich – Israelis are being kidnapped and mistreated by terrorists. Palestinian civilians die in rocket attacks in the Gaza Strip. Gruesome scenes shake the world. And they are raising concerns about a conflagration in the Middle East, a war that is not only taking place between Israel and Hamas – but in which many other countries could be involved.
Experts question how Hamas was able to carry out such a coordinated and complex attack in Israel. According to a report in the Washington Post, it had been prepared for at least a year and with the support of Iran. Planning began at least as early as mid-2022, it said, citing findings from intelligence analysts from the West and the Middle East. Iranian allies have provided military training, logistical assistance and tens of millions of dollars in weapons. However, clear evidence for this is still lacking.
War in Israel: Who supports whom, who profits?
On Monday, there were also firefights between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The Israeli army said it shot dead several armed "suspects" who had entered the neighboring country from Lebanon. Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation. The Shiite militia is considered the military wing of Iran and is directly supported by Tehran. Iran, in turn, is considered a close ally of Russia. During a recent visit by the Russian Defense Minister to Tehran, the two sides pledged to expand their military cooperation.
After the attack on Israel, the accusations against Russia also weigh heavily: The Ukrainian secret service HUR claims that the Kremlin has passed on weapons to Hamas. This has not yet been independently confirmed. According to Israeli sources, Hamas has Russian-made weapons, but it is suspected that they came into the hands of the terrorists via Iran.
Moscow has not yet condemned Hamas' attack. A visit by Hamas to Russia also raises the question of what role Russia might play in the conflict in Israel. As recently as March of this year, a delegation from the Palestinian terror group visited Moscow. It is unclear what they were negotiating about.
Putin implicated in Hamas' attack? Expert sees advantage for Kremlin boss
"I don't believe that Russia is behind Hamas' attack," Ulrich Schmid, a Russia expert at the University of St. Gallen, told our newspaper. "But the war is playing into Putin's hands." Moscow and Tel Aviv have also had an astonishingly good relationship since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Putin and Netanyahu pursue a similar style of politics," says Schmid. On the other hand, Russia has an interest in general instability in the Middle East, says Schmid. "Wherever anti-Western positions are formed, new opportunities open up for Putin."
The war between Israel and Hamas is a distraction from Ukraine, the political scientist explains. "Putin hopes that the West will now give priority to sending its military aid to Israel," says Schmid. U.S. experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington also believe that Russia will use Hamas' attacks for its war against Ukraine: Moscow's propaganda machine accuses the West of neglecting the Middle East conflict in favor of support for Ukraine.
In fact, Ukraine now has to fear that the US will turn off the money tap. The Ukraine aid already approved by the US Parliament is almost used up. With the replacement of the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, Ukraine lost an important advocate. Now, the conflict in Israel could tie up further U.S. resources – it is quite possible that Ukraine will have to share U.S. support with Israel in the future. (Kathrin Braun)