Senior Hamas officials Bassem Naim and Moussa Abu Marzouk, and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov meet for talks on the release of foreign hostages, at a location given as Moscow, Russia in this handout image released on October 26, 2023. Hamas Handout/Handout via REUTERS © Thomson Reuters
Moscow Times/AFP: Hamas Working to Free 8 Russian-Israeli Hostages – Reports
Hamas is trying to locate eight Russian-Israeli dual citizens among nearly 230 taken hostage during its attack on Israel after Moscow’s request to free them, Russian news agencies reported Saturday.
Russia has good relations with the Palestinian militant group, which it does not consider a terror group, and has launched a diplomatic effort to try to free hostages held in Gaza. Israel has said it believes 229 people were taken hostage by Hamas during its massive attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
“From the Russian side, via the Foreign Ministry, we received a list of citizens that have dual citizenship,” senior Hamas representative Moussa Abu Marzook said, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. “We are looking for those people… It is hard but we are looking. And when we find them, we will let them go.”
Read more ….
Update #1: Hamas is seeking eight Gaza hostages at Russia’s request – RIA (Reuters)
Update #2: Hamas Vows To Release 8 Russian-Israeli Hostages After Talks In Moscow (Zero Hedge)
Update #3: Hamas promises Moscow to release eight Russians held hostage — MFA (TASS)
WNU Editor: I guess these talks delivered something …. Iranian And Hamas Delegations Are In Moscow For Talks (October 26, 2023).
But I am skeptical that Hamas will come through. They are engaged in a full scale war with Israel, and their focus is to survive, not finding 8 Russian-Israeli hostages.