Hamas has released a third video of Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov, a Russian-Israeli citizen who has been held hostage since October 7, 2023. In the video, Trufanov says that there are shortages of food, water and electricity, and that he is concerned that the Israeli government is forgetting about the prisoners in Gaza while fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon. He also urged Israelis to continue to protest against the Israeli government.
“I am relieved to see my son alive, but I am very concerned about what he said. I demand that every effort be made to immediately release him and all the other hostages. They are running out of time,” Lena Trufanov, the mother of Trufanov, said after the video was released.
Hamas previously said that Trufanov and another Russian citizen, Maxim Herkin, could be among the first to be released if a new hostage deal is reached with Israel.