Russian ambassador announces new passport for Trufanov freed in Gaza

A new Russian passport has been made for the released Alexander Trufanov, who was held hostage in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian movement Hamas, to replace the expired one. Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov told Russian journalists on February 15.

"A passport of a Russian Federation citizen is waiting for him at the consular department," TASS quoted him as saying.

The ambassador added that Trufanov was captured "a week before the date set at the consular department [date]" for receiving the identity document.

"Now the passport will be handed to him, I will try to hand it to him personally, if the doctors allow it," he concluded.

Survivor: Russian Trufanov spent 498 days in captivity in Gaza

Russia expressed gratitude to the Palestinian side for the release of the citizen

Trufanov and two other hostages were handed over to Red Cross staff on Saturday, February 15, the Russian has already been handed over to medics. The Russian Embassy specified that Russian diplomats made every effort for his release.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed gratitude to the Palestinian side and partners from Qatar and Egypt for their assistance in the release of the Russian held in the Gaza Strip. She specified that the Russian side intends to continue seeking the return of Donbas native Maxim Kharkin.