Israeli captive holds Netanyahu responsible for his fate in Gaza
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The captive addressed far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir: "I gave you my vote in the last election, not so you could leave me to die in Gaza."
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Israeli captive Baron Barslavsky in a video released by the al-Quds Brigades military media on April 16, 2025
Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, released a video on Wednesday featuring Israeli captive Baron Barslavsky. In the footage, Barslavsky harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and called for action to secure his release.
"I've been held in captivity for over a year and a half," Barslavsky stated. "We are suffering from a lack of food and water. I am sick." He described experiencing persistent pain due to an unidentified skin condition, adding, "My physical health is in a very difficult condition."
Addressing Netanyahu directly, Barslavsky asked, "Where are you trying to go with this? What will you do with us? What are your next steps?" He expressed fear for his life, saying, "You drop bombs every day. No doubt the next one will fall on my head," and added, "My blood is on your hands."
Flagrant government inaction
Barslavsky also addressed far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir: "I gave you my vote in the last election, not so you could leave me to die in Gaza. Why have you abandoned us? Why are we being left here to die?" He stressed that Israeli captives in Gaza "suffer daily."
In a pointed criticism of ongoing efforts to negotiate the release of other hostages, Barslavsky said, "You want to strike a deal to release one American captive—Idan Alexander. Is Alexander more important than I?"
He went on to argue that military pressure will not secure the captives' return. "Even if the entire world turns upside down, you won't get me back this way," he said. "No prisoner has ever been freed through military pressure."
Plea to End the War
Barslavsky concluded his message by urging Netanyahu to end the war: "You must stop this stupid war. You have failed. End this nightmare—or at least bring food into Gaza so that some of it can reach us."
He also directed a plea to former US President Donald Trump, saying, "Even during the Gaza war, you didn't call for a ceasefire. Where are your promises? Didn't you say we'd be freed in a deal?"
Earlier on April 9, Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar held discussions with reservists, veterans, and former IAF commanders about their intention to publish a public letter urging a suspension of military service, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli soldiers call for ending war
The letter, drafted by reservists and veterans, criticizes the Israeli military’s resumption of the war on Gaza, which they view as politically motivated rather than strategically necessary.
Reports indicated that the letter also addresses the government’s push for judicial reforms, the dismissal of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and efforts to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
On April 10, 150 Israeli Navy officers signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Israel Katz, Knesset members, and military leadership, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, according to reports.
Dozens of reservist doctors signed a separate letter calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza to facilitate the captives’ return, arguing that prolonging the war jeopardizes both Israeli soldiers and captives while pointing to the deaths of 40 captives during the military’s ground invasion, according to reports.
