November 07, 2025
Israeli Hostage Sexual Assault revelations have sent shockwaves through the international community after Rom Braslavski, a 21-year-old Israeli former hostage, bravely shared his horrific experience of sexual abuse during his two-year captivity in Gaza by members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). His emotional testimony, aired on Channel 13’s Hazinor programme, marks the first time a male hostage has publicly disclosed such abuse, igniting global outrage and prompting renewed UN scrutiny into wartime human rights violations.
Braslavski described in painful detail how he was stripped naked, tied up, and repeatedly assaulted. “It was sexual violence, and its main purpose was humiliation — to crush my dignity,” he said. His words painted a haunting picture of the mental and physical torment he endured while in captivity.
A Captive Caught in the Crossfire
Rom Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and its allied Palestinian armed groups launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel. The assault killed around 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages, sparking a war that has since killed over 68,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Braslavski was among the final 20 Israeli hostages released in August 2025 under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But while his freedom marked an end to captivity, it also opened a painful chapter of truth-telling.
According to Braslavski, his suffering worsened when he refused to convert from Judaism to Islam earlier this year. “They tied me up, blindfolded me, stuffed stones into my ears, and cut my food and water. Then they said they had orders to torture me. Every day was another hell,” he recalled.
In August 2025, PIJ released a distressing video showing Braslavski gaunt and desperate, pleading for food and water. Shortly after the video surfaced, he said, his captors began sexually assaulting him. “They stripped me of everything — even my dignity. I prayed to God to save me, but every morning brought a new kind of pain,” he said tearfully.
International Response and Global Outrage
The revelation has drawn swift reactions from Israeli officials, human rights advocates, and the United Nations. Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Braslavski’s courage, posting on X:
“Rom’s bravery in sharing the horrors of his captivity, including sexual assault, exposes the scale of cruelty committed by terrorists in Gaza. The world must not turn a blind eye.”
The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict confirmed that her office has reopened investigations into sexualized torture in Gaza, citing Braslavski’s testimony as “further evidence of systematic abuse.”
Conflicting Reports and Political Tensions
However, a PIJ spokesperson dismissed the claims as “incorrect” without providing evidence. Meanwhile, a UN inquiry report from March 2025 accused both sides — Israel and Palestinian factions — of gender-based violence. The report claimed that Israel had also “employed sexual harassment and forced nudity” against Palestinian detainees, accusations Israel strongly denied as “unfounded and politically motivated.”
These conflicting narratives underscore the complex moral battleground surrounding the Israel–Hamas war, where both sides face mounting allegations of human rights abuses.
The Broader Impact
Braslavski’s story has reignited calls for international accountability. Experts say his case could influence future war crime investigations and highlight the urgent need for global mental health support for survivors of captivity.
Human rights organizations have emphasized that sexual violence in war zones often remains underreported — particularly when male victims are involved — due to stigma, fear, and shame.
“Rom’s courage to speak out may inspire others to come forward,” said Dr. Liora Ben-Shimon, a trauma specialist in Tel Aviv. “Silence protects perpetrators; his voice breaks that silence.”
For verified analysis and related reports, you can read more at FFRNews Politics — your trusted source for conflict updates and verified news. You can also view the original report on BBC News for full coverage.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma or abuse, reach out to local mental health resources or contact international hotlines such as the UN Victims Support Line or local crisis centers.
