Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged Palestinian militants to release two Russian hostages, following the appearance of one in a video earlier in the week.
The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, released a video on Wednesday featuring Alexander Trufanov, who was forcibly taken to Gaza during the Hamas-led assault on Israel in October. In the video, Trufanov, speaking Hebrew, commented on Israeli military actions in Lebanon and called on Israelis to pressure their government for the hostages’ release.
“We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held by Palestinian groups, particularly our compatriots Trufanov and [Maxim] Kharkin,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
Kharkin was among the attendees of the Supernova music festival near Gaza when Hamas launched its October 7 attack, killing around 1,200 people and abducting approximately 250. Israel estimates that about 65 hostages remain in captivity.
“The release of hostages is a priority in our engagements with representatives of Hamas’ political wing and other Palestinian groups,” the ministry added.
Trufanov was abducted with his girlfriend, Sapir Cohen, from Nir Oz kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. His mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were released during a brief ceasefire and prisoner exchange in November. Trufanov’s father, Vitaly, was killed during the October 7 attack.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has led to devastating consequences, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 43,000 deaths. Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of forcibly displacing civilians in Gaza, actions that the organization claims constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
