Hamas reported on contacts with the Russian Federation regarding the second stage of the Gas deal

The Palestinian Hamas movement maintains a channel of communication with Russia on the issue of the second stage of the deal. It concerns the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a source in the movement told Izvestia.

"Of course, the movement is in constant contact with Russia on the second stage of the agreement," Hamas told the publication.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow intends to continue working on the early release of Maxim Kharkin, a compatriot and native of Donbass, who is being held captive in Gaza.

Harkin was not included in the list of hostages who were supposed to be released at the first stage of the deal. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously reported that they had no information about the condition of the Donbass native and whether he would be released as part of further agreements. Musa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, in turn, noted that Harkin's fate would be discussed at the second stage.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Related — done: Hamas contacts Russia on second phase of Gaza deal