The Islamic terrorist organization Hamas claims to have handed over two Russian hostages to the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip. The two kidnapped men were released thanks to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hamas said today. They were to be handed over by the Red Cross to representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The release of the two women, a 50-year-old woman and her 73-year-old mother, is not part of the agreement to exchange Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marsuk previously told a radio station in the Gaza Strip. Thus, ten Israeli hostages will be released later.
The Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for the release of another 30 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. Hamas had already released a 25-year-old Russian-Israeli dual citizen on Sunday without apparent consideration.