A day after the conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Israeli Prime Minister, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov spoke to Hamas representatives and demanded the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reports that Bogdanov spoke with Hamas politburo deputy chairman Musa Abu Marzouk, Palestinian Democratic Union secretary general Saleh Rafat and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine senior figure Maher Taher. .

“During the talks, a number of issues related to the sharp escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were discussed, with an emphasis on the emerging military and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to TASS.

“At the same time, the Russian side confirmed the principled position on the need for a cessation of hostilities and an immediate solution to all emerging humanitarian problems, including the release of hostages,” the statement said.

Netanyahu spoke with Putin for nearly an hour yesterday, criticizing Moscow’s alliance with Iran and expressing displeasure with its stance on Israel’s war with Hamas.

Three hostages who held Russian citizenship were released by Hamas as a gesture of “gratitude” from the Palestinian armed group to Putin for his support.