Release of a Russian
Haniya Taher al-Nunu, head of the group’s political bureau, said that the Palestinian radical movement Hamas released a hostage with Russian citizenship captured in Israel and handed him over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“Hamas released a hostage with Russian citizenship in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin” – quotation al-Nunu TASS agency.
According to him, the Russian was released from captivity in recognition of Hamas’ position in supporting the Palestinian cause.
On the afternoon of November 26, Israeli Channel 12, citing information received from a source, reported that Hamas plans to release an Israeli with Russian citizenship taken hostage at the request of the Russian side.
Outside of exchange list
Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova responded to the situation. According to him, the hostage with a Russian passport was released outside the exchange list as a result of the efforts of Russian diplomats who were in contact with Hamas representatives.
“This announcement took place outside of the trade list; We are talking about direct agreements between Russian representatives and Hamas. This work will continue,” said the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Zakharova gave the name of the released man – his name is Ron Olegovich Krivoy. According to him, Russian diplomats plan to visit the released Russian in the near future.
On November 1, Russian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Israel Anatoly Viktorov reported that five to six Russians were being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He explained that there was probably a woman among the captured Russian citizens.
Ceasefire for four days
Hamas representatives and Israeli officials agreed to a four-day ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners and detainees. The first day of the ceasefire was November 24. That day, militants handed over 13 Israelis (four children and nine women) through the Red Cross. Ten Thais and one Filipino were also released. Israel responded by releasing 39 Palestinian women and children from prison.
According to the agreement between Hamas and Tel Aviv, the radicals must release 50 hostages in groups of 12-13 people within four days, while Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also allows for the release of other people. The ceasefire will be extended by one day for every 10 hostages released.
The day before, Hamas representatives announced that the process of exchanging prisoners and detainees with Israel was suspended for violating the terms of the ceasefire: Israel did not allow trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the northern part. of the Gaza Strip. According to Channel 12, citing a source, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) threatened to continue military operations in the Gaza Strip in response.
With the intervention of Egypt and Qatar in the evening, the delay in the transfer of hostages and Palestinian detainees was overcome. 20 hostages (13 Israelis and 7 citizens of other countries) held in the Gaza Strip were released and handed over to the Red Cross. In return, Israel would hand over 39 Palestinian civilians.
The movement plans to exchange hostages captured in southern Israel for 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, Khalid Meshaal, head of Hamas’ representative office abroad, said in October. On November 25, IDF spokesman Doron Spielman reported that Hamas was holding approximately 215 people in the Gaza Strip.