Israel’s ambassador to Moscow, Alexander Ben Zvi, cited data indicating that seven Russian citizens are being held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The ambassador noted that eight individuals were previously counted, including a young man who has since been released, bringing the current tally to seven captives. He added that he maintains ongoing communication with the Russian authorities about the hostage situation, including those who hold Russian passports. Attributed to RIA News.
Earlier, the Times of Israel reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had received a list of hostages that Hamas reportedly intends to release on November 29. This development comes amid renewed attention to the hostage crisis and the negotiations surrounding possible releases.
On October 27, Israel announced what it described as an expansion of its ground campaign in Gaza. The timing of the operation remained unclear, but reports indicated that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had evacuated their homes and sought shelter in southern areas and refugee accommodations within Gaza. By November 5, the ground operation had led Israeli forces to encircle Gaza City and sever critical supply routes, and clashes were continuing in the central sectors of the territory. These actions marked a significant escalation in the conflict and a shift in the humanitarian and strategic situation for Gaza residents and for regional actors.
Earlier statements indicated that Hamas had initiated the hostage-taking in the first phase of the conflict. The evolving dynamic of hostage releases and military actions has drawn international concern and prompted varying responses from regional governments and international organizations. The information cited by the ambassador reflects the ongoing effort to verify the status of captives and to monitor developments related to potential negotiations or releases. Attributions cited include RIA News and other contemporary reporting sources.