Freed Israeli Ben Hassin Describes 11 Years of Fear in Kurdish Prison

In his first interview after release, Ben Hassin, 31, said he repeatedly feared for his life during 11 years in an Iraqi Kurdish prison because inmates knew he was Jewish and Israeli. He said guards treated him properly, but kosher food was impossible to obtain and his anxiety intensified after October 7. Hassin said he regretted traveling to Kurdistan and requested a transfer to another prison about three hours away. He plans to visit Aish HaTorah near the Western Wall to recite Birkat HaGomel, the traditional thanksgiving blessing, and later study there.