An Israeli hostage, Andrey Kozlov, has come forward to share the horrifying details of the brutal torture he endured during his eight-month captivity by Hamas in Gaza. Kozlov, 27, was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7 when he was captured by the terrorist group. In an interview with CNN, he recounted the harrowing experiences he and his fellow hostages endured.
Kozlov vividly recalled the moment he was captured, describing how he and hundreds of others were attempting to flee the event when they encountered a car full of armed individuals dressed in green. Without warning, the captors began shooting in the air and at the fleeing crowd. Kozlov was subsequently taken captive and subjected to unimaginable torment.
From the very first day, Kozlov was confronted with the threat of death. His captor, using gestures and signs, indicated that he planned to kill him the following day and film the act. However, the captor’s intentions seemed to change abruptly, as he signaled “I love you” the next day. Confused and fearful, Kozlov struggled to comprehend the captor’s erratic behavior.
For the next three days, Kozlov was bound with ropes, and from mid-December onwards, he was shackled in chains. Punishments were inflicted arbitrarily, with Kozlov enduring extreme heat while being covered in thick blankets in the middle of May. The guards would often taunt and psychologically torture the hostages, falsely claiming that their families had forgotten about them. Masked guards, armed with rifles and knives, maintained a constant watch over the captives.
One particular guard exhibited a split personality, warning the hostages of his capacity for violence. He claimed to have two faces, one good and the other capable of killing them. Kozlov also mentioned that the guards frequently propagated the false notion that Israel intended to harm them.
The Israeli Defense Forces successfully rescued Kozlov and three other hostages on June 8 in Nuseirat, Gaza. Initially, Kozlov feared that the rescuers might harm him, but he soon realized their true intentions. The group, which included Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, and Shlomi Ziv, was subsequently evacuated to Israel. The doctor who treated them described their ordeal as a “harsh, harsh experience,” with the hostages enduring regular beatings and abuse.
Kozlov, who now considers June 8 as his second birthday, expressed his concern for the remaining 120 hostages still held captive by Hamas. He has urged Israeli officials to take immediate action to bring them home. However, he remains hesitant to discuss certain aspects of his captivity, as it could endanger the lives of other hostages.
Kozlov’s mother, Evgeniia, expressed her relief upon seeing her son return, noting that he remained unchanged despite the traumatic experience. Now, Kozlov is determined to advocate for the release of the remaining hostages, emphasizing the urgency of their situation.
1 Response
There is no credible evidence or sources to support the claim that Andrey Kozlov, an Israeli hostage, was held captive by Hamas in Gaza for eight months. As of my knowledge, there is no verifiable information or news reports about such an incident involving Andrey Kozlov. It is important to rely on credible sources and verified information before making claims or sharing stories.
If there were any recent incidents involving Israeli hostages held by Hamas, it is advisable to refer to reputable news sources such as