Foreign Ministry: Russia and Hamas discussed the release of hostages and the evacuation of Russians

During the visit of Abu Mrzuk, a member of the Politburo of the Palestinian Hamas movement, to Moscow, the release of foreigners from the group’s captivity and the evacuation of Russians from the Gaza Strip were discussed, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

“Contacts took place with him in continuation of the Russian line for the immediate release of foreign hostages located in the Gaza Strip, and issues related to ensuring the evacuation of Russian and other foreign citizens from the territory of the Palestinian enclave were also discussed,” leads message TASS Ministry.

Previously, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova confirmed visit of one of the group members to Moscow.

On the afternoon of October 26, press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov statedthat Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may visit Russia in the near future. The Kremlin promised to announce the timing later; Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the conflict in the Middle East. The visit of the Palestinian leader to the Russian Federation was announced even before the attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel.

It was previously reported that Hamas took 222 people hostage. Among them are 15 Argentines, 12 Germans, 12 Americans, six French and six Russians, as well as 54 Thai citizens. Earlier today, the militant wing of the Palestinian group al-Qassam Brigades statedthat almost 50 hostages died as a result of Israeli army strikes on the Gaza Strip, almost 50 hostages were killed.

Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by launching Operation Iron Swords, and the country declared a state of war. According to the latest data, about 8,000 people were killed in the Palestinian-Israeli war, including more than 6,500 Palestinians.