Full Breakdown
Testimony of Sasha Troufanov: Harrowing Experiences in Gaza Captivity
1/31/2026, 7:53:50 PM
Captivity and Abuse
Sasha Troufanov, a freed Israeli hostage, has recounted his traumatic experiences during his nearly 500 days in captivity by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. In a recent interview with the BBC, Troufanov revealed that he was subjected to sexual harassment while held above ground for over six weeks. He described how a guard attempted to coerce him into performing sexual acts on himself and noted the presence of a hidden camera during his weekly showers, which he had to navigate carefully to avoid exposure. Troufanov stated, “I noticed it and I took the shower trying to avoid my private parts toward this angle, but I had to do it because I needed to shower.”
After this initial period, he was moved underground into a network of tunnels, where he spent many months in isolation. Troufanov described the psychological toll of his confinement, stating, “I remember feeling that I am buried underneath the ground while I am still alive. I was losing it. I was having a hard time to find hope in this place.” His captivity began on October 7, 2023, when he and his fiancée, Sapir Cohen, were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during a violent raid that resulted in the death of his father and the kidnapping of his mother and grandmother.
Physical Trauma and Isolation
During his abduction, Troufanov suffered severe physical injuries, including being stabbed in the shoulder and shot twice in each leg while attempting to escape. He described the moment he was shot, saying, “I just felt the rush of pain going through my brain and I fell to the ground.” Despite his injuries, he received minimal medical care, with one leg being treated with makeshift materials like a wooden broom and metal grill.
Throughout his captivity, Troufanov was largely isolated, seeing another hostage only twice during his ordeal. He expressed the profound despair he felt during this time, often believing he would not survive. “Many times I lost hope completely. I said to myself: ‘This is the last place you will see alive,’” he recalled.
Reflections on Gaza's Future
Following the recent return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, Troufanov shared his thoughts on the future of Gaza. He acknowledged the need for rebuilding efforts but emphasized that such initiatives would be futile without addressing the underlying issues of violence and hatred. “Rebuilding Gaza and opening the Rafah crossing is in vain as it will never solve the real problem. We need to find a way to make this hatred and encouragement of terrorist activity stop,” he stated.
Personal Recovery and Future Aspirations
Now, nearly a year after his release, Troufanov is focused on healing and moving forward with his life. He is currently using crutches following surgery on his leg but is hopeful about his upcoming wedding to Cohen. “It’s a victory: overcoming hate and fear and saying to ourselves: ‘We will build life together and we will continue,’” he expressed, reflecting on his journey from captivity to freedom.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I noticed it and I took the shower trying to avoid my private parts towards this angle, but I had to do it because I needed to shower.” — Sasha Troufanov
- “I remember feeling that I am buried underneath the ground while I am still alive. I was losing it. I was having a hard time to find hope in this place,” — Sasha Troufanov
- “Rebuilding Gaza and opening the Rafah crossing is in vain as it will never solve the real problem. We need to find a way to make this hatred and encouragement of terrorist activity stop,” — Sasha Troufanov
- “It’s a victory: overcoming hate and fear and saying to ourselves: ‘We will build life together and we will continue.'” — Sasha Troufanov
