Hamas reveals which captives will be released first as part of deal

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said today that two captives will be given priority to be released in the case of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in the Gaza Strip.

Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook told Russian news outlet RIA, that two Russian captives, Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov and Maxim Herkin, will be among the first to be released from the Gaza Strip – but only as part of a ceasefire and exchange deal.

The two are dual nationals – “Israeli” and Russian, and Abu Marzook said this will be done as “a gesture of respect” by Hamas to Russia.

The comments came after the senior Hamas official met yesterday in Moscow with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Special Representative to the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov.

A Russian delegation from Moscow arrived in “Israel” today to discuss negotiations for their -possible- release.

Hebrew media said the delegation delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the ongoing military aggression against Gaza and Lebanon.