President, assist me in retrieving my son from the depths of despair
In the heart of the Middle East, a 22-year-old American-Israeli named Rom Braslavski has been held captive by the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza for 670 days. Every day that passes may be another day Rom may not survive.
The latest propaganda video released by the group shows Rom in a severely emaciated state, visibly suffering, and begging for his life. His father, Ofir Braslavski, claims that the captors are well-fed while Rom is being denied food. This is not the first time Ofir has seen his son cry in such a way, suggesting the severity of Rom's condition.
The video, released last week, shows Rom gaunt and emaciated in captivity in Gaza. Previously, Islamic Jihad had released a video of Rom looking terrible but still showing a glimmer of hope. In the latest video, that spark is gone.
Rom was kidnapped during the attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. During the attack, he stayed to help the wounded, injured, and terrified instead of fleeing to save himself.
The plight of Rom Braslavski and other hostages held in Gaza has been called the darkest day in Israel's history. The international community has shown growing concern, with the United Nations and other bodies repeatedly calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.
The UN Special Rapporteur has denounced the abductions as war crimes, highlighted the horrific conditions—such as prolonged underground captivity—and reported on documented cases of sexual and gender-based violence against the hostages. These calls are part of broader demands for accountability on all parties committing international crimes during the conflict.
The UN Security Council and international conferences have officially urged Hamas to release the hostages as a vital step toward ceasefire and peace. Notably, the League of Arab States has formally endorsed calls for Hamas’ disarmament and hostage release, marking significant regional diplomatic engagement. Western countries like France and the UK have linked discussions on hostages with the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting broader international concern.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing for a military solution to free the hostages, emphasizing expansion of military operations in Gaza to extract the hostages by force. However, there is a growing understanding within Israel that Hamas is not interested in diplomatic resolution regarding the hostages.
Ofir Braslavski urges President Trump to use his power, influence, and leadership to secure the release of all hostages without conditions. He appeals to President Trump to demand the immediate release of all 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The plight of Rom Braslavski and other hostages is not just an Israeli tragedy but a global test of conscience.
The terrorists' actions on October 7 at the Nova Music Festival were more than terror - they were an assault on civilization itself. The world watches and hopes for the safe return of Rom Braslavski and all hostages held in Gaza.
- The growing concern from the international community over the plight of Rom Braslavski and other hostages held in Gaza has prompted calls for policy and legislation aimed at preventing such incidents, leading to debates about war-and-conflicts and politics on a global scale.
- As the general news of Rom Braslavski's captivity for 670 days continues to unfold, public opinion has shifted dramatically, often leaning toward tougher crime-and-justice measures against terrorist groups, particularly the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- The United Nations Special Rapporteur's denunciation of the abductions as war crimes has sparked a broader discussion on accountability in the context of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, contributing to the ongoing debate on policy-and-legislation and politics at the global level.
