Russia has urged Hamas to release all hostages during talks with the group in Moscow, saying the humanitarian situation in Gaza had reached “catastrophic” levels, AFP reports.

Russian diplomat Mikhail Bogdanov “stressed the need for the speedy release of civilians captured during the attacks of October 7” in talks with Hamas senior official Musa Abu Marzouk, the foreign ministry said.

The group said in a statement that the talks were “to clarify the movement’s position and policies for dealing with the file of prisoners” it was holding.

The statement added that they had also discussed securing a ceasefire in the besieged territory and Bogdanov had expressed Russia’s “support of the rights of the Palestinian people”.