Hostage appears in new video in Gaza: ‘Fear of army exploding where I am’

This is the third video of Sasha Trupanov released by Islamic Jihad. The Russian-Israeli is 29 years old and was kidnapped on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his mother, Yelena, grandmother, Irena Tati, and girlfriend, Sapir Cohen — all released in an agreement at the end of November.

Trufanov addresses parents as recipients of the message. He doesn’t know it yet, but his father, Vitaly Trufanov, was murdered on October 7 in a Hamas attack. The Forum on Hostages and Missing Families said the video should serve as an incentive for the government to reach a deal with Hamas and secure the release of all hostages.

I can say that I was scared of the army. I’m really afraid of the moment when the army can get to me, or blow up the place where I’m located (…) Don’t forget us. We are here in Gaza, in daily danger, in a difficult situation
Sasha Trupanov

Mother says she felt relief after watching the video. “I’m relieved to see my son alive, but it worries me a lot to hear what he says,” said Yelena Trupanov, in a note published by the families’ forum. “I ask that every effort be made to obtain the immediate release of him and all other hostages.”

Sasha and Sapir had recently moved to Ramat Gan. They were visiting family in Nir Oz during the Simhat Torah holiday when they were kidnapped.

Israel believes 121 hostages remain in Gaza, but there is no information on whether they are all alive. Over the past year, more than 150 civilians have been released from Hamas captivity. The bodies of 19 hostages were also recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military.