The Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed group released on Wednesday a new video showing an Israeli hostage who has been held in Gaza for over a year.
The video shows Sasha Troufanov, likely speaking under duress, describing the harsh conditions inside Gaza, warning against military operations to free him and calling on Israelis to protest for his release.
It was the first such video to be released in several weeks. It was not clear when it was filmed, but Troufanov appeared to refer to Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon and its recent exchange of fire with Iran, which occurred in October.
Islamic Jihad took part in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack into Israel, in which fighters killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 250 people hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Islamic Jihad released two previous videos of Troufanov earlier this year. He turned 29 on Monday, marking his second birthday in captivity. His mother, grandmother and girlfriend were also taken captive, but they were released during a November 2023 ceasefire. His father was killed in the Oct. 7 attack.
The US, Egypt and Qatar have spent most of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retain Israeli control over parts of Gaza and to continue the war until “total victory” over Hamas and the return of the remaining captives.
