Hamas announced this afternoon (Sunday) the release of an Israeli-Russian citizen at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the terror organization, the hostage was released as a response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and as a sign of appreciation for Moscow's stance on its war with Israel, which broke out after Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages back into Gaza.
Moscow has been meeting independently throughout the last few weeks with Hamas officials, including Musa Abu Marzouk, in order to bring about the release of eight Russian citizens who were kidnapped by Hamas to the Gaza Strip.
The Russian news agency TASS said, on behalf of the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, that family members of hostages with Russian citizenship arrived today in the Russian capital to meet senior officials.
The news agency also reported that the hostage was handed over to the Red Cross.
On October 7, the day of the Massacre, Hamas kidnapped eight people with Russian citizenship into the Gaza Strip.