The family of one of the hostages rescued in an Israeli operation at the weekend has revealed the psychological abuse suffered by Andrey Kozlov, 27, during his eight-month captivity in Gaza. Kozlov, along with three others, was rescued in a raid on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, marking the third Israeli rescue of hostages in the region.
The rescue operation, celebrated in Israel, resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians during the ensuing firefight with Hamas militants. Kozlov, a Russian citizen who had moved to Israel two years ago, was working as a security guard at a music festival when he was kidnapped and taken into Gaza.
Kozlov's family shared details of his ordeal, including his initial fear that the Israeli forces were there to harm him. His father, Mikhail, mentioned that Hamas militants had falsely convinced Kozlov that Israel intended to kill all the hostages, instilling fear in him.
According to Kozlov's family, he was subjected to various forms of mistreatment by his captors, including punishment for trivial things and being deprived of basic necessities like water and proper nutrition. The hostages were reportedly moved multiple times and faced unstable food and water supplies.
Dr. Itai Pessach, who treated the rescued hostages, described the harsh conditions they endured, including physical and mental abuse on a daily basis. Despite appearing in good condition initially, the hostages were found to be malnourished and suffering from muscle wastage due to lack of protein.
The rescue of the four hostages highlighted the plight of the remaining captives in Gaza, with efforts being made to secure their release through negotiation or further military action. The Israeli campaign in Gaza, triggered by the October 7 attacks, has resulted in a significant number of casualties and a humanitarian crisis.
The testimonies of the rescued hostages shed light on the inhumane treatment endured by those held captive by Hamas, emphasizing the urgent need to address the situation and secure the release of all hostages.
