21-Year-Old Israeli Hostage Video Released by Islamic Jihad

A video featuring an Israeli hostage, 21-year-old Rom Braslavsky, was released late at night on April 16, 2025, by the Palestinian extremist group Islamic Jihad. Held under inhumane conditions in Gaza’s Lwida area since October 2023, this marks the first sign of life from Braslavsky after 558 days since his abduction while working as a security guard at the Nova music festival. During the deadly Hamas attack, he reportedly saved lives, according to survivor testimonies shared by his family. The family approved the release of a short excerpt of the video with the hostage’s face blurred for privacy. In the footage, Braslavsky complains about an illness causing him body pain and appeals directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump for his release, asking, “Where are you?” He describes his physical and psychological condition as difficult, mentioning ongoing airstrikes in Gaza. Addressing Netanyahu personally, he questions, “Can you get me out of here?”