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Middle East conflict

Russian ambassador to Israel meets with relatives of hostages held in Gaza

"Russia is making energetic efforts in order to find and release the compatriots as soon as possible," the embassy’s press service said

TEL AVIV, November 15. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov has held meetings with the loved ones of the Israelis with Russian citizenship who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, the embassy’s press service said.

According to the embassy, the meetings took place on November 13-15, and the ambassador voiced support for the relatives of the kidnapped people.

"[Viktorov] assured them that in close coordination with Israeli authorities and all the involved parties in the Middle East, Russia is making energetic efforts in order to find and release the compatriots as soon as possible," the press service said.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory on October 7, when many Israelis living in the settlements near the border were killed and more than 200 people, including children, women and the elderly, were taken hostage. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

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