Ex-hostage Rom Braslavski says government is ‘totally abandoning me,’ gets 10 panic attacks daily

Released hostage Rom Braslavski writes in a wrenching social media post that he is “truly suffering,” experiences frequent panic attacks and is being ignored by government officials.

Braslavski was released on October 13 after more than two years in Hamas captivity, along with 19 other surviving hostages. Previous footage of him from when he was held in Gaza showed him in dire condition.

“I am truly suffering, maybe it isn’t visible to the naked eye, but I am suffering indescribable pain, far beyond post-trauma,” he writes late last night. “I have around 10 panic attacks per day. Panic attacks that include pounding heartbeats, sweating, stuttering, tremors and even screams and violence.”

He says he has allowed himself to “fall apart” after surviving captivity and returning to Israel, but that he feels ignored by the government, including the Defense Ministry, the police and bodies meant to care for the former hostages.

“All of the government bodies are totally abandoning me, screening me, and telling me the hour is late,” he writes. “I am abandoned perhaps in every possible aspect, every possible official, from the moment I’ve returned I’ve received nothing but derision from the state.”

He said that the total sum he has received in government funds after two years as a hostage is NIS 60,000 (roughly $18,600), which he calls “simply an embarrassment.” He praises fundraising campaigns on behalf of the freed hostages.

“The state isn’t giving enough, the Defense Ministry and state are laughing in our faces,” he writes. “It’s just because of you — millions have already been fundraised for all of the hostages.”

He adds that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have yet to contact him.

He credits grassroots movements on behalf of the hostages, and ordinary citizens, for helping him.

“You are my strength, you are what gives me energy and fuel to continue the journey back to life,” he writes. “I promise I won’t let anything break me. I love you, people of Israel.”