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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group has released a fourth video of Russian-Israeli hostage Alexander Troufanov, who has been in captivity since the October 7 attacks. The video, made public on Friday, shows Troufanov pleading for his release and directly addressing Israeli government officials.
In the video, Troufanov stands before an image of MK Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, urging him to intervene with the government to negotiate the hostages’ release. Speaking in Hebrew, he implores Deri to ensure his and other captives’ survival, emphasizing the urgency of their plight.
“I want to remind you that it is allowed to sell a Torah book and use the profit received from it to release a captive Jew,” Troufanov states, citing Jewish teachings.
He accuses the Israeli government of abandoning him and others, criticizing the focus on military operations in Lebanon while hostages remain in Gaza. “You forgot us and went to Lebanon,” he says in the video.
Calls for Government Action
Troufanov appeals to Deri as “the light at the end of the tunnel” and accuses Israeli leadership of leaving him to die in Gaza. He references the Jewish commandment to redeem captives and the teachings of former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, placing the responsibility for his release squarely on Deri and the Shas party.
“I am begging you, do not let [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and the government abandon us and take away our lives,” Troufanov pleads. “Without a hostage deal, we have no chance to live. Israel, please save us.”
Context of the Hostage Crisis
The video is the latest in a series of hostage recordings released by PIJ and Hamas, which Israel has condemned as psychological warfare. The authenticity of the footage cannot be independently verified, and the conditions of the hostages remain unknown. Such videos are seen as an effort by the captors to apply pressure on the Israeli government and the families of the hostages.
Israel has faced mounting criticism from families of those held in Gaza, who demand greater urgency in securing their release. The hostages include individuals of various nationalities, many of whom were captured during the deadly October 7 incursion by Hamas into southern Israel.
Broader Implications
The release of Troufanov’s video comes amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza and heightened tensions along the northern border with Lebanon. The Israeli government has maintained its commitment to bringing the hostages home but has faced complex challenges in negotiating with terrorist groups while conducting military campaigns.
Troufanov’s direct appeal to Aryeh Deri underscores the emotional and political dimensions of the crisis. As public pressure grows, the Israeli leadership faces difficult decisions about balancing military objectives with efforts to negotiate the hostages’ freedom.
The ongoing plight of the hostages serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the conflict, with their families and communities desperately awaiting their safe return.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members