Israeli hostage slams army attacks in Gaza, calls for protests to press for swap deal

By Iyad Nabolsi

ISTANBUL (AA) – An Israeli hostage on Wednesday said army attacks in Gaza endanger the lives of captives, calling for protests in Israel to press for a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

A video footage of the hostage, Alexander Turbanov, 28, was released by Palestinian group Islamic Jihad on its Telegram channel.

"For over a year, I have been held captive by the fighters of the Islamic Jihad movement – a year of lacking food, water, and electricity. Now, we lack soap and shampoo, and I have developed skin problems,” Turbanov said in the video.

Addressing Israelis, Turbanov said: "When you eat or drink something, remember us, the hostages, who have not had the same chance to enjoy food and drink as you.

"I want to remind you that when you close the (Rafah) crossing to put pressure on Palestinians in Gaza, you are also putting pressure on us."

The Israeli Russian dual citizen continued, “An entire year in captivity... an entire year with my life constantly at risk due to military operations supposedly aimed at liberating us.

"The fighters of the Islamic Jihad have saved my life several times to prevent my death. Some of them were injured, and others were killed trying to keep me alive."

The hostage warned the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza puts the live of Israeli captives at risk.

"I want to tell you that my life is at risk daily... The military operations Netanyahu has chosen to secure our release will ultimately lead to my death,” he said.

"I have started to fear the army. I am afraid of the moment the army will reach me or the moment they bomb the place where I am being held."

Turbanov said many hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

“Only a very small number have been freed. The only good thing they have done for the prisoners was the first cease-fire” last November, he said.

"I ask you (Israelis) to go out, block the streets for some time, and start comprehensive strikes. Remember us and do not forget us,” the hostage appealed.

Israel has continued a brutal onslaught on Gaza since a Hamas attack last year, killing more than 43,700 people, mostly women and children, and injuring over 103,200 others.

Israel estimates that over 100 hostages are still held by Palestinian factions in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have so far failed to achieve a Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap deal, but Washington maintains that Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Oct. 18 may lead to a breakthrough in talks.

Hamas, however, says the conflict will only end when Israel stops its military campaign in the blockaded enclave.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala