Israeli Male Hostage Rom Braslavski Reveals Sexual Abuse During Two-Year Gaza Captivity

Rom Braslavski was released on October 13

An Israeli hostage freed in October has revealed to an Israeli television channel that he experienced sexual violence during his two-year captivity in Gaza by Palestinian militants, becoming the first male hostage to publicly disclose such abuse.

Rom Braslavski, 21, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023 attack, shared his traumatic experience in an interview with Channel 13's Hazinor program. Segments of the interview, aired Thursday evening, were provided to Reuters.

In his account, Braslavski described being forcibly undressed and bound while in captivity. He stated: "It was sexual violence, primarily aimed at humiliation. The purpose was to degrade me and destroy my dignity."

Braslavski expressed difficulty in discussing the ordeal, saying, "I was praying to God, like, please save me, get me out of this already," as he struggled to contain his emotions during the interview.

Reuters could not directly contact Braslavski and was unable to independently verify the specific details of his testimony.

During his captivity, Braslavski was held by Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant organization allied with Hamas that also took hostages in the 2023 attack. While he was detained, Islamic Jihad released footage showing an emaciated and tearful Braslavski appearing to be in distress.

When approached for comment by Reuters, an Islamic Jihad official dismissed Braslavski's sexual abuse allegation as "incorrect" without providing further explanation.

An Israeli government spokesperson told journalists during a daily online briefing that Braslavski's testimony served as "living testimony" of what she characterized as the true nature of Gaza's militant groups.

At least four female hostages have previously spoken openly about incidents of sexual abuse against themselves or other captives.

In March 2024, a United Nations expert team reported finding what they described as clear and convincing information that some hostages taken to Gaza had suffered sexual violence.

Hamas, which held the majority of the hostages, has rejected these allegations.

Braslavski also described enduring regular physical abuse: "You just pray to God for it to stop. And while you're there, every day, with every beating, every day, you say to yourself - I completed another day in hell."

Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people during their cross-border attacks in October 2023 and abducted 251 hostages to Gaza. Israel responded with a two-year military campaign against the enclave that has resulted in more than 68,000 Palestinian deaths.

Braslavski is among the final 20 living hostages released on October 13 as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and Gaza detainees were freed in exchange.

Human rights organizations, including Israeli ones, have documented abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons during the conflict, including instances of sexual violence.

Israel is investigating dozens of suspected abuse cases but denies any systematic mistreatment.