Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, discussed the urgent need for the release of Russians held in Gaza with Mousa Abu Marzouk, Deputy Chairman of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian movement Hamas. This was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
"The Russian side emphasized the urgent necessity of releasing civilians captured during the attacks on October 7, 2023, and held by Palestinian factions, including two Russian citizens, Alexander Lobanov and Alexander Trufanov," the ministry stated.
The ministry added that the parties primarily focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip, "where the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic proportions amid ongoing hostilities."
Bogdanov confirmed Moscow's readiness "to continue facilitating the consolidation of leading Palestinian political forces and movements on the platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization."
On June 8, the Israeli army press service announced a special operation in the Nuseirat area of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the rescue of four Israelis kidnapped on October 7, 2023. They were Noa Agramani (25 years old), Almog Meir (21 years old), Shlomi Ziv (40 years old), and Andrey Kozlov (27 years old), who also holds Russian citizenship. After the rescue, Kozlov and his family met with the Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov. Viktorov assured that Russia would continue to make concerted efforts to secure the release of all hostages held in the enclave, including the two compatriots. Among the hostages in the Gaza Strip are Russians Alexander Trufanov and Alexander Lobanov.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials