Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, told the RIA Novosti news agency, which is considered the Kremlin's mouthpiece, today (Tuesday), that "Hamas gave Moscow an ironclad promise that Russian citizen Alex Tropanov will be released from captivity safe and sound.".
The ambassador updated that "the kidnapped Sashev Tropanov is not completely healthy and he will be released from Gaza in 3-4 weeks. The terrorists promised that he would be released alive and well.".
Tropanov is on the list of hostages expected to be released in the current deal.
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According to a report in 'Kan News', the statement comes five days after the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on talks held by senior Russian officials with Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouk and Khaled Meshaal, in which Moscow demanded that "prioritize" the release of Tropanov.
Tropanov, 29, has been held captive for 473 days by Islamic Jihad.
He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his mother Yelena, his grandmother Irena, and his partner Sapir Cohen, who were released in the first deal after 54 days. His father Vitaliy was murdered on October 7 in Nir Oz.
About two months ago, Islamic Jihad published a video showing Tropanov addressing Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri with a request: "Don't let us die in Gaza." Following the publication, Russia called for the release of all the hostages "immediately and unconditionally.".
