Gaza: An Israeli hostage on Wednesday criticized the Israeli army’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, urging citizens to protest for a prisoner exchange with Palestinian captors. Alexander Turbanov, 28, whose video was released by Palestinian group Islamic Jihad on its Telegram channel, expressed concerns about the endangerment of hostages’ lives due to these attacks.
According to Anadolu Agency, Turbanov revealed that he has been held captive for over a year by the fighters of the Islamic Jihad movement. During this period, he has faced significant hardships, including a lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and electricity. “Now, we lack soap and shampoo, and I have developed skin problems,” Turbanov stated in the video. He asked fellow Israelis to remember the hostages’ plight when enjoying their daily comforts.
Turbanov highlighted the dangers of the ongoing military operations, claiming they have often put his life and those of other hostages at risk. He mentioned that while Islamic Jihad f
ighters have tried to protect him, many have been injured or killed in the process. “The military operations Netanyahu has chosen to secure our release will ultimately lead to my death,” he warned, expressing his fear of both the army’s approach and potential bombings.
He appealed to Israelis to protest by blocking streets and initiating strikes to advocate for the hostages’ release. Turbanov noted that despite the ongoing conflict, only a few hostages have been freed, with the first ceasefire last November being a rare positive outcome for prisoners.
The conflict has seen Israel carrying out extensive military actions in Gaza since a Hamas attack last year, resulting in significant casualties and widespread displacement. Efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to mediate a ceasefire and negotiate a hostage swap have thus far been unsuccessful, though there is hope that recent developments might lead to progress.
Israel faces international scrutiny, including a genocide case at the International Court of J
ustice, for its actions in Gaza, which have led to severe humanitarian crises in the region. The ongoing blockade has exacerbated shortages of essential supplies, affecting the entire population.