Hamas released 17 hostages. Among them is a Russian who was released by the group in gratitude to Russia

Hamas has released a third group of prisoners. The released prisoners include 14 Israelis and three foreigners.

IDF reported this.

The prisoners were handed over to the Red Cross and will soon be taken to Israel.

This is the third group of hostages handed over by Hamas as part of an agreement with Israel. On November 24, 13 Israeli hostages and 12 Thai workers were released from captivity. On November 25, 13 Israelis and four Thai citizens were released. The exchanges took place as part of a four-day ceasefire. Israel, in turn, transfers 150 Palestinian prisoners to Gaza.

The Times of Israel writes that the group reported a hostage with Russian citizenship.

In a statement, Hamas said that this was "a response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and gratitude for Russia's position in support of the Palestinian cause."