[Regnum] Militants from the radical Palestinian movement Hamas constantly beat hostages captured during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023,Russian Andrei Kozlov, recently released from captivity, told The Wall Street Journal.
According to Kozlov, first his hands were tied with a rope, then they were chained. With each passing day, the man lost hope of being saved.
Recalling the details of his stay, the man said that the prisoners were placed on dirty mattresses, and in the heat, blankets were thrown over them. People were also forbidden to approach the windows so as not to be seen by neighbors, the publication writes, citing Kozlov.
According to the man, the "most brutal guard" sometimes allowed him to watch TV, but then his mood changed and he would threaten to kill him. Kozlov claims that he recognized the guard as journalist Abdullah al-Jamal, who is associated with Hamas. The hostages were held by him from October to March, and were later moved to the house of the journalist's father.
The Israeli military was able to free the Russian and three other hostages from captivity on June 8. IDF soldiers entered the apartment on the third floor of the residential building. The Palestinian journalist was then liquidated.
The Russian appealed to Israel to negotiate a prisoner exchange, since the military had only saved six people. Other attempts had failed.
As reported by Regnum news agency, on June 11, the Hamas leadership promised to release two other Russians held in the Gaza Strip if there was a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
On June 8, Kozlov, who was released from captivity, almost burst into tears at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . The Israeli prime minister posted a corresponding video on his Telegram channel on June 8. The next day, his parents flew from St. Petersburg to meet their son . Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, they were taken to the Sheba Medical Center, where Kozlov and other rescued hostages were already located.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict escalated on October 7, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on Israel and captured several settlements. During the attack, the militants also attacked a music festival in southern Israel. The Guardian later reported that at least 260 bodies were found after the attack on the festival. Israel launched retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip and regained control over it.
On October 8, the Israeli authorities declared the country in a state of war. This was followed by a large-scale ground operation by the IDF in the Gaza Strip at the end of October. However, the IDF also began to strike civilian targets. Thus, on October 31, the army struck the Jabaliya refugee camp. According to the Gaza Strip Interior Ministry, about 400 people were killed and injured in the strike .
According to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, as of April 2024, more than 34,000 people have died
| …interesting that the Regnum reporter is ignoring Hamas number updates for about the past three months… |
| How close to zero is the probability that claim is true, dear Reader? |
| A neatly balanced statement, feeling like agreement to whichever side the listener might be on. |
| The Times of Israel has more from and about the new Israeli, an immigrant from Russia who was working security at Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7th, and was for a while held captive by Abdallah Aljamal, a Palestine Chronicle correspondent |
Related:
Andrei Kozlov 06/09/2024 US intelligence helped the IDF free four hostages but floating pier not involved, IDF sez no other hostages harmed
Andrei Kozlov 10/17/2006 Russian News Agency Itar-Tass Executive Killed in Moscow
Andrei Kozlov 09/14/2006 Russian Central Bank's deputy chairman wounded in assassination attempt
Andrei Kozlov 06/09/2024 US intelligence helped the IDF free four hostages but floating pier not involved, IDF sez no other hostages harmed
Andrei Kozlov 10/17/2006 Russian News Agency Itar-Tass Executive Killed in Moscow
Andrei Kozlov 09/14/2006 Russian Central Bank's deputy chairman wounded in assassination attempt
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Andrey Kozlov 06/16/2024 At [anti-Bibi] protests, coalition implored to reach hostage deal, bashed for not tackling Hezbollah
Andrey Kozlov 06/16/2024 Citing rescued hostage, captive soldier’s mom says women were held as slaves
Andrey Kozlov 06/11/2024 How Yamam rescued the hostages under heavy enemy fire
Andrey Kozlov 06/16/2024 At [anti-Bibi] protests, coalition implored to reach hostage deal, bashed for not tackling Hezbollah
Andrey Kozlov 06/16/2024 Citing rescued hostage, captive soldier’s mom says women were held as slaves
Andrey Kozlov 06/11/2024 How Yamam rescued the hostages under heavy enemy fire
Related:
Abdallah Aljamal 06/18/2024 Gaza reporter who harbored Israeli hostages at his home wrote for US-based The Palestine Chronicle
Abdallah Aljamal 06/11/2024 Did Gazan who held Israeli hostages work for Al Jazeera and US-based charity?
Abdallah Aljamal 06/09/2024 AlJazeara's Reporter in GAZA (Abdallah Alimal) held Noa Argamani hostage in Aliamal's home.
Abdallah Aljamal 06/18/2024 Gaza reporter who harbored Israeli hostages at his home wrote for US-based The Palestine Chronicle
Abdallah Aljamal 06/11/2024 Did Gazan who held Israeli hostages work for Al Jazeera and US-based charity?
Abdallah Aljamal 06/09/2024 AlJazeara's Reporter in GAZA (Abdallah Alimal) held Noa Argamani hostage in Aliamal's home.