Hamas has stated that hostages will be freed only after a ceasefire is agreed upon. That stance was relayed to reporters by Abu Hamid, a representative of the Palestinian movement’s delegation in Moscow. He underscored that the group intends to release the civilian detainees, but emphasized the need to locate everyone who was brought into the Gaza Strip on October 7 before any such release could occur. He also indicated that during the Moscow visit, the Hamas delegation shared with their Russian counterparts a set of explanations for the October 7 attack, presenting documents they described as laying out the militants’ rationale for the operation.
On October 7, Hamas forces launched a major assault, firing thousands of missiles toward Israel and initiating what the group described as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Dozens of military vehicles were seized, and a large number of hostages were taken. In response, Israel declared that it had entered a state of war under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling the start of a broad military campaign aimed at neutralizing Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, with strikes targeting Hamas positions across the Gaza Strip and broader regional goals. As part of the measures, Israel’s security leadership authorized the suspension of essential services and access to basic needs within Gaza, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, aiming to pressure Hamas and curb more violence. By October 13, the United Nations reported warnings that as a ground offensive loomed, up to 1.1 million Palestinians might be evacuated from northern areas to safer zones in southern Gaza within a 24-hour window.
Earlier statements from Hamas suggested that foreign hostages could be released only when the surrounding conditions were conducive, signaling that timing would depend on evolving political and security realities. The unfolding sequence of events drew swift international concern over civilian safety and the humanitarian implications of ongoing fighting, prompting calls for restraint, humanitarian corridors, and steps to protect noncombatants amid the conflict.