Russia’s Foreign Minister connected Friday called on Palestinian militants to merchandise 2 Russian-Israeli hostages aft 1 of them appeared successful a video earlier this week.
Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant radical allied with Hamas, released a video connected Wednesday of Alexander Trufanov, who was forcibly taken to Gaza amid the Hamas-led onslaught connected Israel past October.
In the video, the bearded Trufanov spoke successful Hebrew astir Israeli subject operations successful Lebanon and urged Israelis to enactment unit connected the authorities to unafraid the merchandise of hostages.
“We reiterate our telephone for the contiguous and unconditional merchandise of each civilians successful the hands of Palestinian groups, archetypal and foremost of our compatriots Trufanov and [Maxim] Kharkin,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said successful a statement.
Kharkin was among thousands of radical attending the Supernova euphony festival conscionable a fewer miles from Gaza erstwhile Hamas militants launched their onslaught connected Oct. 7 past year, sidesplitting immoderate 1,200 radical and abducting different 250. Israel says astir 65 hostages stay live successful captivity.
“The merchandise of hostages is simply a precedence successful our contacts with representatives of the governmental helping of Hamas and different Palestinian organizations,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
Trufanov was abducted with his girlfriend, Sapir Cohen, from the Nir Oz kibbutz adjacent the Gaza Strip. Trupanov's mother, grandma and girlfriend, who were besides taken hostage, were among those released during a little ceasefire and captive speech past November.
Trufanov’s father, Vitaly, was killed during the Oct. 7 attack.
Israel’s devastating warfare against Hamas successful Gaza has killed much than 43,000 people, Palestinian wellness officials said. Human Rights Watch precocious accused Israel of systematically forcing the wide displacement of civilians successful Gaza, which amounts to a warfare transgression and a transgression against humanity.
AFP contributed reporting.
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