The Palestinian Hamas movement has reportedly handed over a hostage of Russian citizenship to the Red Cross, as stated by the movement’s press secretary for its Politburo chairman. The report comes via TASS, which cited that source from within Hamas itself.
Earlier, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 had circulated a claim that a key Hamas contact had been killed and could be released at Russia’s request, with the hostage in question carrying Russian citizenship. The channel’s report added that a potential release was being coordinated to satisfy Russian concerns.
On November 22, discussions between Israel and Hamas centered on a possible exchange that would involve Gumpuse and several other captives. The plan envisioned a four-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities, with 150 Palestinians held in Gaza exchanged for them. It was indicated that additional releases might occur in a second phase. The ceasefire was to extend by one day for every 10 hostages released, while Hamas pledged to free two additional Russian women right after hostilities concluded.
The ceasefire agreement was formally signed on November 24, marking a critical moment in the on‑the‑ground efforts to secure relief measures for civilians and to set the stage for further negotiations. Observers described the arrangement as a pragmatic step aimed at reducing immediate violence and enabling humanitarian access in the affected areas.
Reports from Russians who had previously fled Gaza highlighted the harsh realities of life under bombardment and the challenges of daily survival, underscoring the humanitarian stakes for families separated by the conflict. The international community watched closely as the ceasefire unfolded, weighing the balance between security concerns and the urgent needs of civilians caught in the crossfire.