Russia Calls Israel Hampering The Release Of Hamas Detained Hostages

Deputy Ambassador of Russia to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy (Photo; Xinhua)

JAKARTA - Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said Israel was hampering mediation efforts to free hostages detained by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Polyanskiy said that Israel had not yet reached one of its operational destinations in the Gaza Strip, as stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said the lives of the hostages were in danger and the situation was very worrying.

"Israel actually did nothing to solve this problem," he said. This makes the problem worse and complicates the efforts of the mediators," he added, quoting Antara.

According to Polyanskiy, the UN Security Council has been paralyzed by US veto-veto on various resolutions about Gaza for Israel's "short", its close ally.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive rocket into Israel and broke through the border. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and about 240 others kidnapped in the attack, according to Tel Aviv.

Israel then launched a retaliatory attack on Gaza, blockaded the region completely, and started ground attacks to eliminate Hamas fighters and rescue the hostages.

The Israeli attacks have killed more than 35,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are believed to be still being held by Hamas in Gaza.