PIJ releases video of Israeli hostage in Gaza, officials say its part of psychological warfare

Video, posted to several Arabic Telegram channels, promises more details of Gaza hostages to be revealed 'in the coming days'

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Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), another terrorist group in Gaza, released a video of Israeli hostage Alexander Trupanov, who was captured on Oct. 7 and is currently being held in Gaza.

The 30-second video was broadcast on several Arabic-language Telegram channels on Tuesday. In the brief video, Trupanov stated his name and said: “In the coming days you will hear from me all the truth about what happened to me and all the hostages in Gaza. I ask you to have patience.”

The video is similar to others released by PIJ and Hamas since Oct. 7. Once again, Israeli media chose not to broadcast the footage, describing it as Hamas propaganda.

Trupanov was captured from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, along with his mother Yelena, his grandmother Irina Tati, and his girlfriend, Sapir Cohen. All three were released in late November 2023 as part of the hostage deal. His father, Vitaly Trupanov, was murdered by Hamas during the attack on the kibbutz.

In the last few weeks, Hamas and PIJ have released several videos, including one depicting Nadav Popplewell, 51, who is also being held hostage in Gaza. The footage does not indicate the date of filming, making it very difficult to ascertain the current condition of the hostages depicted.

The Trupanov family expressed mixed emotions regarding the video release. Trupanov's mother said: “To see him today on television is very joyous, but also heartbreaking because he is still in captivity.”

“We are waiting for you to come home already, and we’re doing everything we can for it to happen soon,” his girlfriend Sapir said.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the video is “proof” the Israeli government should do more to secure the release of the hostages.

“The sign of life from Alex Trupanov is further and clear proof that the Israeli government should give a significant mandate to the negotiating team, which could lead to a deal for the return of all the abducted, the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for burial,” the forum said in a statement.

Last week, Israel's War Cabinet approved new guidelines for negotiations for the release of the hostages, with Israeli sources reporting that Israeli mediators had received a broader mandate to achieve a breakthrough.

Hamas has stated its unwillingness to close a deal if the IDF continues its military incursion in the town of Rafah, located in southern Gaza near Egypt.