Watch: PIJ releases new sign-of-life video of hostage Alexander Troufanov

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group released a new sign-of-life video on Wednesday of Russian-Israeli hostage Alexander Troufanov, who has remained in captivity since October 7.

This is the third such video of Troufanov, and other hostages have been filmed as well. The videos cannot be corroborated by a third party. There is also no way to verify precisely when and where they were filmed, or what the conditions of the hostages were during filming and afterward. Israel widely considers these videos – which PIJ and Hamas have released before – to be a form of psychological warfare.

In the video, Troufanov said that he and the other hostages are running out of food and basic hygiene products. He called on the Israeli public to continue to push for a deal to bring the hostages home.

He also said that he is afraid of the IDF and fears the day that the army will get close to his location or potentially blow up the building in which he is being held captive.

The PIJ previously released two videos of Troufanov in May.

Troufanov was kidnapped on October 7, along with his parents, Yelena and Vitali, his grandmother, Irena Tati, and his partner, Sapir Cohen. His father was murdered, and his mother, grandmother, and partner were released in a hostage deal last year.

Getting the hostages home

Musa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, has said that in a potential future hostage deal, they will prioritize the release of Russian nationals – Troufanov and Maxim Herkin, whose family secured Russian citizenship on his behalf while he remains a hostage in an effort to free him.

Another Russian hostage, Alexander Lobanov, was murdered in captivity, and his body was discovered by the IDF alongside the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Ori Danino.

After the publication of the video, Troufanov’s mother, Lena, who survived Hamas captivity, said, “I am relieved to see my son alive, but I am very worried to hear what he is saying. I urge that every effort be made to secure his immediate release and that of all other hostages. They have no time left.”

She continued, “I want to address you first, Sasha. My beloved son, I ask you to keep being strong and hold on. Do not lose hope, we will not stop fighting for your release until you are here with us, at home.

“Now I would like to address everyone involved: the government, the security cabinet, and the decision-makers. Look at my son’s face and save him, now!

“And to you, the people of Israel – thank you for the warm embrace, support, and unceasing prayers. It is time for us all to unite in one clear message – bring everyone home, now!”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said, “The horrific video of Sasha Troufanov from captivity highlights the urgency of returning the 101 hostages – and now, with winter approaching, these hostages, who have been subjected to horrific conditions of abuse, starvation, and darkness for over a year, face an increasing risk of losing their lives.

“It’s inconceivable and incomprehensible that almost a year has passed since the last hostage release deal. The hostages have no time left – a deal for their release is the only way to bring them all back to us: the living for rehabilitation, and those who were murdered for proper burial.”