Vladimir Putin reportedly demanded Hamas release a Russian national being held in Gaza. The Russian, Roni Krivoi, was taken in the October 7 attacks but was today freed.
In a post on Telegram, Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigade – the armed wing of the Gazan government – announced that the Russian president had requested the release of Mr Krivoi.
The announcement read: “The Al-Qassam Brigades handed over a detainee of Russian citizenship to the Red Cross based on the intervention of the Russian President”.
Meanwhile, TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported that Hamas was more than happy to oblige and meet President Putin’s request because of Moscow’s “support of Palestine”.
Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh reportedly told the state-run outlet: “Hamas has released aa hostage who has Russian citizenship in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
He added: “The hostage was handed over to the Red Cross not long ago.”
Haniyeh said on his Telegram channel: “In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts and in recognition of Russia’s position in support of Palestine, Hamas has released a hostage with Russian citizenship”.
READ MORE Girl, 9, ‘kidnapped in pyjamas’ by Hamas now free after dad told she was dead
Mr Krivoi, 25, was born in Israel but is the youngest sibling of a Russian family, according to The Times of Israel.
He was working as a sound technician when he was snatched from the Supernova festival on October 7.
Mr Krivoi and 13 other Israelis were freed on day three of the ceasefire agreement, which has seen Israel trade Palestinian prisoners for hostages taken by Hamas.
Tomorrow is the final day of the ceasefire, which is due to end on Tuesday morning.
However, US President Joe Biden is hopeful that the ceasefire may be extended. He told reporters this evening that he hoped the pause in fighting would “go beyond tomorrow”.
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Palestinian prisoners have this evening left Ofer Prison, according to Sky News. The channel claims its reporters witnessed a bus of prisoners exiting the facility.
The truce agreement requires Israel to release some of the Palestinians it has detained, in exchange for the hostages taken by Hamas.
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