'I Can Breathe Again': Former Israeli Hostage Reflects After 500 Days in Gaza

Sat Apr 04 2026 10:17:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Sasha Troufanov, an Israeli man who endured nearly 500 days as a hostage in Gaza, expresses relief and sorrow as the last of his fellow captives is accounted for.

Sasha Troufanov, who was held captive in Gaza for 498 days, shares his experiences and feelings of relief following the identification of the last hostage's body, allowing him and other former captives to finally begin healing. Troufanov reflects on the emotional weight of his captivity, his painful memories of isolation and abuse, and the personal loss of his father during the conflict.

'I Can Breathe Again': Former Israeli Hostage Reflects After 500 Days in Gaza

Sasha Troufanov, an Amazon electronics engineer and former Israeli hostage, who endured nearly 500 days in captivity, expresses relief and sorrow over the fate of fellow captives as the last of the hostages, Ran Gvili, is accounted for this week.

In an international interview during a visit to London, the 30-year-old recounted his time in captivity after being taken by Palestinian Islamic Jihad gunmen on October 7, 2023. Troufanov, alongside his fiancée Sapir Cohen, was abducted during an attack in Kibbutz Nir Oz. While Cohen was released after more than 50 days, Troufanov was held for an excruciating 498 days before his release in February 2025.

With Gvili's body being returned, Troufanov shared, It felt wonderful. We waited so long for this to happen...I was carrying this burden ever since I came back. It was like a weight on my shoulders that kept me from coming back to my life. Yet, the moment was bittersweet as he reflects on the tragic loss of his father on the same day he was released.

During his captivity, Troufanov faced extreme hardship, including isolation, starvation, and violence. He recalled horrifying experiences of physical abuse, as well as emotional trauma from being treated like an animal, locked in a cage at times, and barely surviving. Despite the struggles, he now emphasizes the importance of moving forward and healing, while recognizing the dangers that still lie ahead, expressing concerns about the continuing cycle of violence and the necessity for lasting peace.

As he looks toward the future, Troufanov is hopeful about starting a new chapter after overcoming such significant adversity, stating, It's a victory: overcoming hate and fear and saying to ourselves: 'We will build life together.' As he prepares for his upcoming wedding to Cohen, he strives to find joy and normalcy after a harrowing ordeal.