Islamic Jihad Releases Video of Hostage Rom Breslavsky: Family Demands Urgent Meeting with Officials

A video released Thursday evening by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization has reignited anguish and urgency in Israel, showing kidnapped Israeli citizen Rom Breslavsky, 21, who has been held captive in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack. The terrorist group claims the video was filmed approximately a week and a half ago and that contact with Breslavsky and his captors has since been lost.

Following the release of the footage, Breslavsky’s family demanded an immediate meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

From Hero to Hostage: The Story of Rom Breslavsky

Rom Breslavsky, a native of Jerusalem, was kidnapped at age 19 during the October 7 massacre at the Nova music festival. According to multiple eyewitnesses, Rom demonstrated extraordinary bravery under fire, helping dozens of young festivalgoers escape while wounded himself.

“Dozens of times he went back and forth, helping more and more people flee,” his aunt recalled in a past interview. Survivors say he shielded injured victims, guided others to hiding places, and even tried to prevent the abduction of bodies. Despite being shot in both hands, he continued to assist others.

At 10:30 a.m. that day, Rom made what would be his last call to his mother, Tami, using someone else’s phone while hiding beneath a tank surrounded by terrorists. "Mom, why are you crying?" he asked, trying to calm her down. “I’ll be home in a few hours,” he promised.

Since then, Breslavsky has spent 664 days in Hamas captivity, during which he has already marked two birthdays—most recently his 21st about a month and a half ago.

“Even the Strongest Can Break” 

The six-minute video shows a visibly deteriorated Rom, and his family says it is a stark reflection of his suffering and the neglect of the Israeli government.

“We are very upset,” the family said in a statement. “People talk about the hunger in Gaza, but has anyone looked at Rom? He’s not getting food, not getting medicine. He has simply been forgotten. Six minutes on video—Rom broke down. But he’s been there 664 days.”

The family described Rom as a lively, humorous young man with an unforgettable smile—traits now replaced with anguish and despair.

“Even the most resilient person has a breaking point. Rom is the symbol of all the kidnapped. We must bring them home now.”

Urgent Calls to Israeli Leadership 

The Breslavsky family is demanding an urgent meeting with Israel’s political and security leadership. “We want answers. We don’t understand what the Knesset committees do all day—talk? Debate? Our Rom has been there for nearly two years and no one even calls us with an update.”

In a desperate appeal, they also addressed international figures: “We ask that Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon (Witkoff) watch the video. We appeal to President Trump: Help us. Give us our son back.”

Growing Pressure on the Government

The video’s release comes amid increasing public pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Rom’s case, emblematic of the trauma endured by more than 120 Israeli hostages believed to remain in Hamas captivity, adds emotional and moral urgency to already strained political and military efforts.

As the nation absorbs the heartbreaking footage, one message rings clear from Rom’s family and others: Bring them home—now.