Russian diplomat hails importance of releasing Russians held captive by Hamas

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has said that the Russian Federation insists on the immediate release of Russian citizens Alexander Trufanov and Maxim Kharkin, who are being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"To date, more than a hundred people remain in captivity. We believe that the capture and prolonged unlawful detention of innocent people can never be justified. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians in the hands of Palestinian groups, with a particular emphasis on our compatriots, Trufanov and Kharkin," the diplomat emphasised, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Zakharova also noted that the issue of hostage release is a "priority" in Russia's contacts with representatives of Hamas' political wing and other Palestinian organisations.

"Consistent efforts to address this humanitarian task will continue, including through Russian embassies in Middle Eastern countries," she added. 

At the same time, Zakharova reminded that, based on past experience, political and diplomatic methods are the most effective in resolving hostage situations.

"Under the agreements reached in November 2023 between Israel and Hamas, 78 people were released, the majority of whom were women and children. Thanks to our persistent efforts, outside the framework of this deal, Russian citizens Elena Trufanova and Irina Tatti [the mother and grandmother of Alexander Trufanov], as well as Ron Krivoi, were also freed," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted. 

The situation in the Middle East escalated dramatically following the infiltration on October 7, 2023, by militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas, who crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. This attack was accompanied by the killings of residents in border settlements and the taking of hostages. In response, Israel launched an operation in the enclave aimed at dismantling Hamas' military and political infrastructure and freeing all those abducted. On September 23, Israel also began Operation "Northern Arrows" in the border regions of southern Lebanon against the Shiite group Hezbollah.

By Naila Huseynova