'A true hero' still in captivity – Christian Friends of Israel amplifies call for prayer for Israeli hostages

In a recent interview with Christian journalist Paul Calvert, Galya Hall of Christian Friends of Israel (CFI) spoke with urgency about two kidnapped Israeli hostages still being held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza: Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David.

Disturbing new videos released by Hamas show both young men appearing frail and emaciated, with Braslavski (19) visibly distressed. Hall said the footage confirmed “what I think maybe we were all fearing the most – that they don’t have a lot of time left. What we saw were living skeletons.”

Braslavski's story is one of courage. As Hall recounted, on Oct. 7, 2023, he was working security at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas launched a surprise attack. Braslavski could have escaped, but instead chose to stay, rescuing injured people and guiding others to safety. He provided them with impromptu self-defense tactics to improve their chances of survival.

Nova Festival survivors later recognized Braslavski on hostage posters and contacted his family to share how he saved their lives. Hall described him as “a true hero who put his own safety to the side in order to help others,” likening his sacrifice to the words of Jesus: “No greater love has a man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friend” (John 15:13). Braslavski's family, Hall explained, has been “frozen” since the Oct. 7 massacre.

“In a way...they’re also hostages – they’re hostages in their own minds. They’re also held captive by all kinds of fear and emotions.”

Braslavski has now spent two birthdays in captivity, and his mother, Tami, believes he is in desperate condition. Still, she remains resolute.

“She believes in the power of prayer to sweeten judgments, and she called on people all over the world to join with her, with the family, in praying for Rom and helping through these prayers to get him home,” Hall emphasized.

Hall’s connection with the family began when Tami unexpectedly showed up at CFI’s Jerusalem office seeking help. Since then, CFI has offered practical aid, encouragement, friendship, and most importantly, constant prayer. The entire staff is committed to sharing their story. Every Friday, they wear “Bring Rom Home” shirts, pray, and spread awareness internationally.

Hall repeated Tami's impassioned prayer in the interview with Calvert: “Please join with Rom’s mother, join with Christian Friends of Israel, and together let’s pray and pray and pray and not cease in offering our prayers for Rom because we believe in miracles.”

For Hall, prayer is not secondary; it is essential. She believes it can change Braslavski's situation and that God “wants him to live, wants him to heal, and wants him to have life and more abundantly.”

For more information or to support the family, visit www.cfijerusalem.org.

Click below to listen to the full interview.