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Freed Israeli Hostage Rom Braslavski Describes Sexual Assault and Torture in Gaza Captivity

His account is the first public testimony by a male freed hostage describing sexual violence during Gaza captivity.

Overview

  • Braslavski, 21, told Israel’s Channel 13 that captors stripped him naked, tied him up, starved him and sexually abused him to humiliate and “crush” his dignity.
  • He was abducted on October 7, 2023 from the Nova/Supernova music festival, where he was working as a security guard.
  • Reports differ on whether he was held by Hamas or by Palestinian Islamic Jihad during more than two years in captivity.
  • He was released last month under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that returned the remaining living hostages.
  • His interview adds to prior testimonies from female survivors who have reported sexual abuse while held in Gaza.