Civilian captives could be transferred to Iran with Turkish and Qatari help, and released from there, according to media reports
The Palestinian militant group Hamas is willing to release non-combatants it has held captive since October 7, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian revealed on Thursday.
“According to our negotiations, Hamas is ready to release civilian prisoners,” Amir-Abdollahian told the UN General Assembly, as cited by The National, an UAE-based outlet.
MASSACRE!
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“On the other hand, the world should support the release of 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons,” he added.
Hamas took more than 200 captives during the October 7 incursion into occupied Israel. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by declaring war on the group (elected government of Gaza) and launching air and artillery strikes on Gaza.
According to one Hamas official, 50 of the hostages have been killed by the Israeli blitz and near total blockade so far, along with more than 7,000 Palestinians, nearly all civilians, over 2500 of them children.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at the UN General Assembly, October 26, 2023 in New York City. © Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / Getty Images
The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen reported that Hamas would be willing to work with Türkiye and Qatar to facilitate the transfer of prisoners into Iranian custody.
Hamas frees two first US hostages, Judith and Natalie Raanan – BBC News
It was not clear whether this release would be unilateral or in exchange for the jailed Palestinians.
Amir-Abdollahian’s announcement comes just hours after his deputy, Ali Bagheri, held talks with Russian counterparts in Moscow, which focused on the “need for a ceasefire in and around the Gaza Strip and the prompt provision of humanitarian aid to the affected Palestinian population,” according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Russia’s special envoy for the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, and Bagheri agreed to “closely coordinate efforts to stabilize the situation” in the region, the ministry added.
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Meanwhile, a high-ranking Hamas delegation was also in Moscow to discuss the hostage issue. Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of the group’s political council, led the team that discussed the release of hostages and evacuation of Russian and other foreign nationals from Gaza.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed the visits by Marzouk and Bagheri at the regular press briefing on Thursday, promising “additional information” once it is available.
Qatar pressing Hamas to release women, children…
Israel has denounced the Hamas mission to Moscow and demanded Russia immediately expel them.
Turkey discusses with Hamas the release of civilian hostages
The Free 