Hostage video of German-Israeli national in Gaza Province unveiled
In a chilling development, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has released a video showing Rom Braslavski, a 21-year-old German-Israeli hostage who was taken captive during the Nova Music Festival attack in October 2023. The video, which was filmed days before PIJ claimed it lost contact with his captors earlier this month, shows Braslavski looking pale, thin, and emaciated, lying on the ground in an unknown location.
Braslavski's family has expressed deep distress and anger over his condition. They claim he is not receiving food or medicine and has been "simply forgotten" for nearly two years as a hostage. In a statement through the Families of Hostages Forum, they described the video as showing Braslavski "broken," and demanded urgent high-level meetings with Israeli security and political leaders to discuss his fate and alleged neglect.
The PIJ itself claims the video was recorded around two days before contact was lost with the cell holding Braslavski, allegedly after an Israeli military operation reached the area where he was detained. His mother described him as emaciated and stated he had endured physical beatings without crying, indicating serious mistreatment by his captors.
Israeli officials and media view the PIJ videos cautiously, noting that past statements and videos by the group have sometimes been unreliable and part of psychological warfare tactics. Despite this, the latest video adds to the concerns about Braslavski's dire health and the unclear status since contact loss earlier this month.
As of August 1, 2025, no verified updates on his release or rescue have emerged. Initially, the Braslavski family did not give permission to show the video or repeat its content, only releasing a still image showing Braslavski crying. The video shows Braslavski appearing emaciated and under duress, appealing for his release.
The Israeli government and the UN are currently in a dispute over aid that is stuck in Gaza. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadepuhl has expressed concern over the video and called for the release of all hostages. Braslavski's family has echoed this call, stating, "Rom is an example for all hostages. They must all be brought home now."
The circumstances under which the video was recorded and the date of the recording are unknown. Rom Braslavski, a 21-year-old from Jerusalem, was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. The Gaza war was triggered by a Hamas massacre that occurred on the same day, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths in the south of Israel and over 250 hostage takings in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group has published several videos of hostages in the past, which are often viewed skeptically by Israeli authorities as possible propaganda. Israel estimates that around 50 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, with approximately 20 of them still alive. The source of this information is ntv.de, mba/AFP/dpa. Germany continues to work towards the release of all hostages in Gaza.
- Amidst the ongoing general news about Rom Braslavski's captivity, the Commission could also be requested to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the potential radiation exposure risks associated with war-and-conflicts and political unrest.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of crime-and-justice, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadepuhl, alongside Braslavski's family, has demanded urgent high-level meetings with Israeli security and political leaders, urging action to address the ongoing hostage crisis and pressing for the protection and release of all hostages, including Braslavski.
