Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov released from Hamas captivity

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov, who had been held hostage by Hamas, was released on Saturday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

In a statement, the ministry credited Trufanov’s release to "persistent and purposeful actions by Russian diplomacy," including intensive negotiations with Hamas’s political leadership.

"We are grateful to the Palestinian side, as well as our Qatari and Egyptian partners, for their assistance in ensuring the successful resolution of this case," the statement read. "The rescue of our compatriots remains a top priority for us."

The ministry noted that Trufanov is the fourth Russian citizen to be freed from captivity. In November, three others were released "on an exceptional basis, without conditions or reciprocal demands from Israel."

Additionally, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe return of the remaining Russian citizens still held in Gaza, while urging Hamas’s leadership to respond positively to other humanitarian requests from Russia.

On Saturday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Saraya Al-Quds, the armed faction of Islamic Jihad, handed over three Israeli captives as part of the sixth phase of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal with Israel.

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, halting the Israeli war that has killed more than 48,200 people, mostly women and children, and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.