Former Israeli Hostage Alleges Sexual Assault During Captivity in Gaza
A former Israeli hostage released last month has publicly revealed he was sexually assaulted during his two years held captive in Gaza by members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Rom Braslavski, 21, recounted the abuse in an interview with Channel 13’s Hazinor programme, stating the violence was intended to humiliate him and crush his dignity. He described being stripped naked and tied up, adding, “It was sexual violence, and its main purpose was humiliation. Its goal was to humiliate me, to crush my dignity.” Braslavski was taken hostage during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were abducted. The allegations add to growing concerns about the treatment of hostages during the conflict.
Braslavski’s treatment reportedly deteriorated after he refused to convert to Islam in March of this year. He detailed periods of blindfolding, restricted access to food and water, and repeated physical torture, including being punched and whipped with a metal cable. He recalled entering “a loop” where he doubted he would survive. In August, PIJ released a video showing Braslavski in dire condition, claiming he was near death due to lack of sustenance. Following the video’s release, the sexual assaults began, according to Braslavski. For more information on the ongoing conflict, see the United Nations’ coverage of the situation in Gaza.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Braslavski’s “extraordinary courage” and stated the world must recognize the “scale of the crimes committed by the terrorists in Gaza.” PIJ has dismissed the allegations as “incorrect.” A UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict previously found “convincing information” of sexual violence committed against hostages, while a separate UN commission also documented allegations of gender-based violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces – claims Israel has refuted. Reuters has more on the UN reports.
Israeli officials have vowed to investigate all allegations of abuse, and the claims are likely to further complicate efforts toward a lasting ceasefire.
