[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

A fascinating article. Did you notice that along with the ex-hostages -- Jews, by the way, was a rabbi?

Did you notice that Sasha Troufanov, Yelena Trufanova and Sapir Cohen received a presentation of flowers?

Did you note that those hostages were Russian-Israelis?

Did you notice that other Times of Israel articles mention Israel also dealing, albeit through third parties such as Qatar, with them?

Did you notice that the "hailing" was diplomatic speech, as some kind of negotiation requires this stuff?

Israeli negotiators head to Qatar amid some reported progress in hostage talks Times of Israel, 2 January 2025

Negotiators to head to Qatar as Israel denies Hamas claim of progress on 2nd truce phase Times of Israel, 8 March 2025.

Getting hostages released -- geopolitically, or in some storefront -- remains most often a matter of talking, talking and talking.

Complexities.

[mac_truck]

I also remember a small number of Russian born hostages were released by Hamas not too long after Oct 7th, without too much fanfare in the West and separate from Israeli negotiations. These were characterized by Hamas as good will gestures toward Russia.