As part of its psychological warfare, Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video of Sasha Trufanov, a hostage who has just spent her 29th birthday in captivity. Detained for 404 days now, Trufanov appears on screen to describe his difficult conditions of detention.
“I have been a prisoner for a year,” testifies Trufanov, visibly distressed. “A year of deprivation: lack of food, water, no electricity, and now I no longer even have access to basic hygiene products like soap or shampoo, which has caused me problems of skin.”
In a moving message to Israelis, he implores: “Every time you eat or drink something, think of us, the prisoners. We do not have this privilege. When you think of closing the aid passage, think to us. When you make their lives harder, you make ours harder.” He also expresses his daily fear: “I fear for my life every day. The military operations could cause my death. Several hostages have already died in captivity. The only positive thing has been the ceasefire.”
It should be noted that this video is part of a usual strategy of terrorist organizations, and Trufanov’s message could have been dictated by Islamic Jihad.
Lena Trufanov, Sasha’s mother, reacted with emotion: “I am relieved to see my son alive, but very worried by what he is saying.” She issued an urgent appeal to the Israeli government and the international community to “do everything possible to free him and all the other hostages in Gaza. Time is running out.”
Belgium
