Russia celebrates the rescue of four hostages, including a young Russian, after Israel’s operation in Gaz

June 9 () –

The Russian ambassador to Israel, Anatoli Viktorov, has celebrated the rescue of four hostages kidnapped in the attack by the Palestinian militias on October 7, among whom is a citizen of Russian nationality, after an operation carried out this Saturday by The Israeli Army in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the center of the Gaza Strip.

“I especially congratulate Eugenia Kozlova on the return of her son Andrey (Kozlov), whom, like all the Israelis released today, I wish a speedy recovery and return to a full life,” the diplomat said in a statement published in social network

The Russian ambassador in Tel Aviv has extended his “joy for the safe rescue” to the relatives and friends of the other three hostages freed by the Israel Defense Forces, identified as the young woman Noa Argamani and two men, Almog Meir Jan and Shlomi Ziv. They are all in good health and are already receiving medical attention at the Tel Hashomer hospital.

The rescue operation of these four people, who were kidnapped during the Supernova music festival, took place in two Hamas militia hideouts “in the heart of the Nuseirat refugee camp.”

Viktorov has defended that the release of the hostages has been a “priority” “actively” promoted by the Russian Government in international forums and bilateral contacts for the solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In this sense, he has assured Russia’s “vigorous efforts” to “bring back” Russian nationals held in the Gaza Strip since the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

“Let me remind you that, thanks to the specific work of the Russian side, it was previously possible to achieve the release of three Russian citizens – Ron Krivoy, Irina Tatty and Elena Trufanova, as well as several Israeli citizens – Holocaust survivor Yaffa Adar , the fiancée of Alexander Trufanov Sapir Cohen and the minor daughter of a Russian citizen Gali Taraschansky,” he detailed in the press release.

At least two other Russian citizens – Alexander Trufanov and Alexander Lobanov – still remain in the Strip. “The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian diplomats and military personnel will continue to make constant efforts for the prompt return of our compatriots,” the ambassador guaranteed.

Finally, the diplomat reiterated that “only a prompt cessation of hostilities” will make it possible to remedy the urgent humanitarian problems in the Palestinian enclave, including the release of the rest of the hostages.