Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook was interviewed by the Russian TV channel RT in Arabic and referred to the use of the tunnels by Hamas.
In the interview, he admitted that the tunnels were meant to protect Hamas members. When asked who is responsible for the residents of Gaza, he replied that “the UN is supposed to provide protection.”
"We built the tunnels because there is no other way to protect ourselves from being targets and being killed. These tunnels are meant to protect us from the planes. We fight from them," he said.
He also said: "Everyone knows that 75% of the residents of the Gaza Strip are refugees - and it is the responsibility of the UN to protect them. The responsibility of the occupation is to provide them with all services as long as they are under occupation – in accordance with the Geneva Convention."
Last week a Hamas delegation led by Mousa Abu Marzook landed in Moscow. Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the delegation landed in Russia and referred to Hamas as a Palestinian movement.
Israel responded to the visit: "Hamas is a terrorist organization worse than ISIS. The hands of senior Hamas officials are covered in the blood of over 1,400 Israelis who were slaughtered, murdered, executed, and burned, and they are responsible for the kidnapping of over 220 Israelis, including babies, children, women, and the elderly."