Russia urges Hamas to ‘urgently, immediately release’ all hostages

ISTANBUL

Russia on Tuesday called on the Palestinian group Hamas to release all its hostages “urgently and immediately."

“All hostages must be urgently, immediately released, this is our firm position. We, of course, call on Hamas to ensure that all hostages are released,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a press briefing in Moscow.

Peskov further said that Russia is in contact with “all parties related to the conflict” concerning the release of Russian citizens.

“Indeed, we have not yet succeeded, but we will continue these efforts,” Peskov said, adding that they have not yet had accurate information about how and when the Russians citizens can be released.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 5,791, according to the latest figures by the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in Hamas attacks since Oct. 7, Israeli authorities said.