Iran says Hamas ready to release hostages

Iran says Hamas is ready to release hostages, adding that the world needs to help free 6,000 Palestinians being held in Israel.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly's Middle East session on October 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that according to their negotiations, Hamas is ready to release civilian hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

"Iran is ready to join Qatar and Türkiye in this very important humanitarian effort. Of course, the release of 6,000 Palestinian prisoners is also necessary and the responsibility of the global community," said Amir-Abdollahian.

He also warned that if Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip do not stop, the US will inevitably be implicated.

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA on October 26. Photo: Reuters

Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen newspaper reported that Hamas is ready to cooperate with Turkey and Qatar to facilitate the transfer of hostages to Iran. It is unclear whether the release would be a unilateral move or in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel.

Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian's announcement came hours after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri held talks with his Russian counterparts in Moscow, focusing on "the need for a ceasefire in and around the Gaza Strip as well as the timely provision of humanitarian aid to the affected Palestinian people".

A Hamas delegation was also in Moscow to discuss the hostage issue. Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of Hamas' political council, discussed the release of hostages and the evacuation of Russian and other nationals from Gaza.

Israel protested the Hamas delegation's visit to Moscow and demanded that Russia expel them immediately.

The Israeli military said on October 26 that the number of hostages in the Gaza Strip had increased to 224 from 222, including Israelis, foreigners and dual nationals, and could rise further. Hamas has so far released four hostages, including two Americans and two Israelis.

Hamas said later in the day that about 50 hostages had died in Israeli raids over the past three weeks.

Analysts say that by releasing hostages in a "drop by drop" manner, Hamas appears to be trying to show its willingness to negotiate, as well as delay an Israeli ground offensive. Qatar's top negotiators said all civilians held hostage in Gaza could be released in a few days if the sides stop fighting.

Israel has launched a series of attacks and blockaded the Gaza Strip in response to a Hamas attack on October 7. Fighting between the two sides has left more than 8,400 people dead and more than 22,800 injured as of October 26.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , RT )

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