|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Russian-Israeli citizen Alexander Trufanov, who has been held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, is reportedly in poor health, according to statements made by Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov.
Trufanov is among the hostages expected to be released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has raised hopes for his safe return.
Ambassador Viktorov addressed the media on Tuesday, confirming that Moscow had received evidence suggesting that Trufanov’s condition had deteriorated.
“We hope that in the remaining few days, his health condition will not worsen,” Viktorov stated, citing concerns from Russian officials.
Despite these concerns, Viktorov stressed that Hamas had assured the Russian government that Trufanov would be returned “alive and well,” a promise reportedly made by the Hamas leadership.
Trufanov, a dual Russian-Israeli national, was taken hostage during the October 7 massacre, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack on Israel.
His captivity has drawn attention not only because of the ongoing conflict but also due to Russia’s diplomatic relationship with Hamas, which has maintained its ties with Moscow despite the international controversy surrounding the group.
Viktorov continued, describing Trufanov’s condition as “satisfactory but not positive,” during a separate interview on Russian state media outlet Russia24.
He reiterated the Russian government’s hope that the hostage would be returned safely, despite the current challenges surrounding his health.
In a related development, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) released a video of Trufanov on November 15, showing him alive, which provided a momentary sense of relief to his family and the international community.
This video was a rare piece of evidence confirming his status and brought brief comfort to those awaiting his release. However, with the health of the hostage in question, uncertainty remains as the scheduled return date approaches.
The Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv has actively communicated through social media regarding the situation.
On Monday, Ambassador Viktorov shared his hopes for Trufanov’s safe return, expressing relief over the earlier release of other hostages, including Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher.
In a post on January 16, the Russian Embassy highlighted the significance of the ceasefire agreement and reiterated its optimism about Trufanov’s release in the near future.
As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas continues to evolve, international observers remain focused on the fate of hostages like Trufanov.
While hopes for his recovery and return persist, the health of the Russian-Israeli hostage serves as a reminder of the toll this ongoing conflict has had on innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
