Hamas to Prioritize Release of Two Russian Hostages in Deal with Israel

Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk states the group's willingness to prioritize Russian-Israeli hostages in negotiations, following discussions with Russia.

• Hamas has expressed readiness to prioritize the release of Russian nationals Alexandre Troufanov and Maxim Herkin in a potential deal with Israel.
• Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, made these statements during a visit to Moscow where he met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
• Troufanov is currently held by Islamic Jihad, and his release would be part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
• Herkin, originally a Ukrainian citizen, gained Russian citizenship after his family relocated to Russia, enabling Russian intervention for his release.
• Previous promises by Hamas to prioritize Russian hostages have been made, but not all have been fulfilled, as seen with the execution of Alexander Lubanov.

3 Articles

Der Tagesspiegel Haaretz The Jerusalem Post