The family of one of the hostages rescued in an Israeli raid over the weekend said the prisoner suffered psychological abuse at the hands of his Hamas captors. The hostages were detained for eight months in Gaza.
Andrey Kozlov, 27, was rescued alongside Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan and Shlomi Ziv during an operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza, on Saturday (8).
The operation, celebrated in Israel at the weekend, was the third Israeli rescue of hostages held in Gaza.
However, Gaza authorities say at least 274 Palestinians were killed in the attack and ensuing shootout with Hamas militants.
Kozlov and the others were detained in two civilian buildings in the densely populated territory.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation was carried out on both buildings simultaneously, out of fear that the captors would kill some of the hostages if they knew an operation was underway.
A Russian citizen, Kozlov moved to Israel almost two years ago. He was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7th when he was kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
In an interview with CNN Kozlov’s family revealed some details of their son’s order, including that he initially believed the Israeli forces who saved him had been sent to kill him.
Kozlov’s father, Mikhail Kozlov, said his son was “very scared” because Hamas militants had falsely said for months that “Israel wanted to kill them all,” claiming that “they were a problem for Israel.”
“They said Israel wanted to kill him. He did not understand why the Israeli forces came. He was afraid they would kill him. It took him some time to realize it was a rescue,” said the hostage’s father.
Mikhail said his son would not reveal all the ways he was mistreated, but added that “he was not seen as human by them.”
“I would say they would punish him for any behavior they considered wrong,” he said.
“One of the examples that Andrey gave us is that during the hottest times of the day they covered him with blankets,” he explained.
“It’s a very tall order, to get dehydrated during the heat,” Andrey Kozlov’s father concluded.
The hostage’s brother, Dmitry, said that “they were trying not to leave marks [físicas]. But they would still punish him one way or another. Often for trivial things.”
“They told him not to speak in Hebrew, you have to whisper and [mesmo isso] in English”, he added.
Describing the encounter, the hostage’s father said: “The first meeting was very moving. We expected to have a vibrant meeting with some joy, but instead, he knelt down and started crying and that was very moving for us.”
Dmitry said his brother feels indebted to Israel. “He says he doesn’t understand what he did to deserve this generosity towards him, because he didn’t do anything. So he feels obligated to pass that kindness on to the next person and help get others out of trouble. [reféns].”
With the rescue of the four hostages, 116 remain in Gaza since the October 7 attacks, of which 41 are believed to be dead.
Mikhail, the rescued hostage’s father, said he was in favor of securing the release of the remainder by any means – through negotiation or further military action.
“If it can be a deal, if a deal can help free them, then so be it. We need to use all means to return these people to their families,” she added.
“A lot of abuse, almost every day”
The doctor in charge of the medical treatment of the four Israeli hostages rescued on Saturday (8) said they were beaten while in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
“It was a tough experience, with a lot of abuse, almost every day,” Dr. Itai Pessach told CNN .
“Every hour, both physical and mental and other types, and this is something that is beyond comprehension,” he added.
The doctor said that the eight months spent in captivity “has left a significant mark on their health” and, despite initially appearing to be in good condition, they are all malnourished.
“They didn’t have protein, so their muscles are extremely worn out, there’s damage to some other systems because of that,” Pessach explained.
The doctor also said that the hostages reported being transferred several times, dealing with several different guards. The food and water supply was unstable.
“There were periods when they barely got any food at all, there were other periods when it was a little better, but overall, the combination of psychological stress, malnutrition or not getting enough food or not getting the right kind of food, medical neglect, being limited to space, not seeing the sun and all other things have significant effects on health”, he explained.
The testimony is the latest insight into the conditions under which Hamas holds hostages. Other hostages have already outlined their agreements.
Keren Munder, her mother and her 9-year-old son – who were among several hostages released under a temporary truce last year – endured days with only bread to eat, according to her cousin, Merav Mor Raviv.
Munder and his mother lost between six and eight kilos of weight.
Another hostage, 72-year-old Adina Moshe, endured “horrible” conditions while held captive, according to her nephew, who added that she did not have access to basic facilities such as a shower.
Israel launched the war in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attacks, when militants killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages.
Since then, the Israeli campaign has killed more than 37,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and triggered a humanitarian crisis.
Source: CNN Brasil
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