The Russian Foreign Ministry declared its readiness to continue efforts to free the hostages from Gaza.

Russia is ready to continue making strenuous efforts to free the hostages from the Gaza Strip. This was announced on April 21 by the Russian President's representative for the Middle East and Africa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, during a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Simone Halperin.

"The Russian side confirmed its readiness to continue vigorous efforts aimed at the early release of the hostages held in the enclave," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

It is specified that the meeting took place at the request of Halperin. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the situation in the Gaza Strip has become an emphasis in the exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East.

In addition, Bogdanov and Galperin discussed topical issues of further development of bilateral "multifaceted ties" between Russia and Israel.

The silence in the Middle East did not last long. And here's why

On April 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Russian Alexander Trufanov, his mother Elena Trufanova and his fiancee Sapir Cohen, who were released from captivity of the Palestinian radical movement Hamas. Trufanov's mother, fiancee, and grandmother were released in November 2023. Trufanov himself and two other hostages were handed over by Hamas representatives to the Red Cross staff on February 15.