Sasha Trufanov speaks out: Release all the hostages!

Released hostage Sasha Trufanov released a video tonight (Saturday) calling for the release of all the hostages without exception.

Watch:

Here is the full transcript:

It's important for me to be filmed today because even though I was released not long ago, every new day I think about the hostages who are still there - it's a thought that doesn't leave me.

It accompanies me every hour, every minute of the day while I'm here. I still can't process the fact that I'm here while there are still people who haven't returned.

Being held captive is simply an insane psychological game. The thought that accompanies you is that if you don't get out in this deal, there probably won't be another deal for you to be released in. It's hard for me to think that my friends who are sitting here to my right and left, I might never see them again. This is something that overwhelms me greatly right now.

The fact that they are here beside me, but they're not... they're just pictures. They're not real people anymore. This is something that's difficult for me, and I'm sure it's even more difficult for their families.

Now suddenly I also feel what it's like to be a family whose loved ones are there in Gaza. It's something I thought about when I was there, that it's not very easy, but suddenly it overwhelms me and I realize how difficult it is. I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone.

Isn't it time to release the people there? The people who are still alive? The people who are praying so hard to return home?

I want to ask you in every possible way - don't let feelings of revenge, anger, and rage rise above the values of unity, brotherhood, and the sanctity of human life.

When I talk about bringing the hostages back, I'm talking about all of them - both the living and the deceased. Every family wants closure, and this isn't something you can simply ignore. We need to fight with the same determination!

I want to say thank you to so many people. I think I could make a video several hours long just saying thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every person who supported, helped, and hoped for my safe return home. I'm here thanks to you, whether it was by helping my mother and my loved ones hold themselves together. I truly will never be able to repay you for what you've done for me, and it moved me so much and still moves me to know that so many people cared about my return home - thank you.