Hamas releases 12 additional captives

Seven women and five children – including two Russian-Israeli dual citizens – handed over to the International Red Cross in the 6th hostage release.

By World Israel News Staff

The Hamas terrorist organization released twelve additional captives Wednesday evening, in the sixth tranche of hostage releases since the beginning of the ceasefire with Israel last Friday.

Seven women and five children were transferred to the custody of the International Red Cross in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt.

The captives include ten Israeli citizens and two women with dual Russian-Israeli citizenship, whom Hamas announced it would release as an additional gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian-Israeli women have been identified as Yelena Trupanob, 50, and her mother, Irena Tatti, 73.

The two women were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7th invasion.

Trupanob’s husband, Vitaly, was murdered during the invasion, while her son, Sasha Trupanob and his girlfriend, Sapir Cohen, were taken hostage and remain in captivity.

Last month, Trupanob was forced to appear in a Hamas propaganda video, in which three women urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war on the Gaza terror group.

Earlier this week, Hamas released dual Israeli-Russian citizen Roni Krivoi, also as a gesture to the Russian leader.

Sixty Israeli women and children were released during the first five tranches of hostage releases, with Krivoi making a total of 61 captives with Israeli citizenship released during the ceasefire.

In addition, Hamas has released 17 Thai nationals and one dual Filipino-Israeli citizen.