First Male Israeli Hostage Reveals Sexual Abuse During Gaza Captivity

A recently liberated Israeli hostage has become the first male to publicly disclose sexual assault during his captivity in Gaza.

Rom Braslavski was serving as a security guard at the Nova music festival when Hamas militants captured him and numerous others on October 7, 2023, igniting a prolonged conflict with Israel.

"They completely stripped me of all clothing, including underwear. When I was entirely naked, I was exhausted, starving without food. I prayed to God - please save me, get me out of this situation, and you just think to yourself... what on earth is happening?" he stated in remarks reported by CNN.

Braslavski explained that the sexual violence was intended to humiliate him and destroy his dignity. "And that's precisely what he accomplished," he revealed in an interview excerpt published by the Daily Mail from Israel's Channel 13's program "Hazinor".

"It's something even the Nazis wouldn't have done. During Hitler's era, they wouldn't have committed such acts. You simply pray for it to end. And while I was there - each day, each beating - I would tell myself, 'I survived another day in hell. Tomorrow morning, I'll awaken to another hell. And another. And another. It never ends'," he further elaborated.

According to a Times Of Israel report, Braslavski's mother revealed that her son faced pressure to convert to Islam, with promises of additional food and improved conditions, but he refused to yield.

Braslavski was among 20 living Israeli hostages released following over two years in captivity after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. Prior to his testimony, only female hostages had come forward with allegations of sexual abuse.