This was reported by TASS with reference to the joint statement of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries.

"We, the G7, call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," the document says.

Earlier, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that Hamas had released another group of hostages captured in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the Israel Defense Forces intends to continue fighting in the Gaza Strip after the release of the hostages.