Russia expresses concern about health of Russian-Israeli hostage in Gaza

The Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov revealed in an interview on Monday that Russian-Israeli dual citizen Alexander Trufanov who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, has been unwell during his captivity in the Gaza Strip. 

"We hope that in the remaining few days, his health condition will not worsen," Viktorov told Russian state media TV channel Russia24. 

The Russian diplomat stressed, "there is a firm promise from the Hamas leadership, given to the Russian side, that he will be returned alive and well."

Trufanov is reportedly on the list of 33 Israeli hostages who are expected to be released during the next few weeks in exchange for around 1,900 security prisoners held in Israeli jails. 

While Hamas is outlawed as terrorist organization in many Western nations, Russia maintains comparatively friendly ties with the Iranian-backed Jihadist organization.

Moscow hosted a senior Hamas delegation merely weeks after the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people from southern Israel. In addition, Moscow has close ties with Hamas’s patron – the ayatollah regime in Tehran. Russia consequently has some leverage on the Hamas leadership. 

Russia recently welcomed the release of three Israeli female hostages held by Hamas in Gaza while expressing hope that Trufanov would also be released in the near future. 

“We welcome the release of three Israelis as part of the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas,” the Russian envoy in Israel stated. “We hope that our compatriot Alexander Trufanov will also return home safely in the near future,” Viktorov added. 

Trufanov was kidnapped and wounded in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israeli border communities. His father Vitaly was murdered while his mother Yelena, grandmother Irena and girlfriend Sapir were kidnapped and later released during the hostage agreement in November 2023. 

It is currently unclear whether Trufanov is held by terrorists from Hamas or its ally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ.) 

In May 2024, PIJ released a propaganda video of Trupanov held in captivity somewhere in Gaza. 

“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,”  Trupanov said in the video clip, most likely stating what he was forced to say by his captors. 

His family reacted with strong emotions to the video clip. 

“To see him today on television is very joyous, but also heartbreaking because he is still in captivity,” Trupanov’s mother said. 

“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 Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum argued at the time that the video with Trupanov is further “proof” that the Israeli government should do more to facilitate the release of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. 

“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 stated.