From the Hamas tunnels to the Western Wall tunnels

After 498 days in captivity, Sasha Troufanov returns to the place of hope and prayer.

Yossi Aloni

Mar 6, 2025 at 9:00 am

| Topics: Gaza

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov during his visit to the Western Wall:

“I came here to the Western Wall to give thanks and to take an extremely moving tour. I visited the tunnels of the Western Wall after spending a long time in the dark tunnels of Gaza. Here I felt the holiness and heard all the prayers that were said for me. Do not stop giving thanks for what you have and pray for the hostages who are still there. The Western Wall is a remnant of something great, a living testimony that even when everything seems broken and destroyed, reconstruction and new beginnings are possible. I thank everyone who prayed for me and ask the people of Israel to continue to maintain unity and unconditional love.”

Last night, Sasha Troufanov, recently released after 498 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, visited the Western Wall for the first time – the place that gave him hope during his imprisonment. Together with his partner Sapir Cohen, who was released after 55 days in captivity, he stood in front of the stones of the Western Wall and said a moving prayer of thanks.

Sasha and Sapir toured the Western Wall tunnels and delved deep into the Jewish history of Jerusalem. They learned the profound significance of this place and visited the new exhibition Sha’ar HaShamayim (“Gate of Heaven”), which recently opened to visitors to the Western Wall and tells the story of the site and the Temple.

Photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation.

During the visit, a special prayer of thanksgiving, “Mizmor LeToda” (“Psalm of Thanksgiving”), was performed – an expression of gratitude for the return of Sasha and Sapir from Hamas captivity, accompanied by a prayer for the speedy return of the other hostages.

The Western Wall, which was a center of prayers and hope for the return of the hostages, also became a place of joy and thanksgiving that night. It remains a source of resilience, strength and hope.