Progress is being reported in talks to bring back Russians held by Hamas, according to Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president. Speaking at the Russian Information Association’s event during the international exhibition and forum Russia, he outlined the current trajectory of the discussions and noted that the updates come through official channels and are monitored by Russian media partners, including RIA News.
Peskov stressed that any decision to release hostages in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict area requires careful alignment of the positions of all involved parties. He underscored that negotiations are ongoing and that several factors must be addressed before any final steps can be taken.
Earlier, a TASS diplomatic source suggested there was a possibility of extraditing eight Russian citizens who were captured by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack on Israel. The source added that intensive analyses are underway to assess the feasibility and conditions for such a move, reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of the hostage issue in the region.
Additionally, it has been reported that more than 500 Russian citizens are waiting to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip, with the overall number of people on the evacuation list exceeding 900. This broad tally highlights the scale of the humanitarian and logistical challenge involved in coordinating safe corridors for those seeking to depart the area.
In early November, a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Israeli authorities would permit Russian citizens to leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing, contingent on the ongoing coordination efforts and security considerations. The possibility of using Rafah underscores the practical steps being discussed to facilitate evacuation amid shifting conditions on the ground.
Hamas has previously indicated that foreign hostages will be released when conditions allow, signaling a cautious approach that aligns with broader regional dynamics and security assessments. The evolving situation continues to unfold as diplomats, international observers, and affected families await clarity on timing and the mechanism for any exchanges.