Hamas has released a video of starving Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski.
The video shows David digging his own grave as the Israeli siege on humanitarian aid and intensified military campaign has caused widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip. Experts suggest the Hamas video is intended to pressure Israel to allow aid into Gaza and bring an end to the war.
Notably, human rights organizations have warned that the Israeli blockade has triggered “the worst-case scenario of famine” in Gaza.
Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid has led to severe food shortages. According to a UN report, one in three people in Gaza now goes without food for days at a time. Reports indicate that seven Palestinians have died of hunger in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths to 93.
Despite repeated warnings from UN bodies, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has consistently downplayed reports that starvation is rampant in the Strip.
The new Hamas video showing underfed hostages has raised alarm about the fate of other Israeli captives still held by Hamas. Israelis are question why aren't the hostages being fed despite the entry of aid in the Strip.
Illay David, brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David said, "The humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza, meant to alleviate suffering, must reach Evyatar, Guy (Illouz) and all the other hostages immediately. We cannot, we must not, allow Hamas to wield life and death with such unchecked barbarity. To remain silent now is to be complicit in their slow, agonizing death."
During ceasefire talks in July, which ended in a deadlock, Hamas negotiators had warned that hostages were starving alongside their captors—and that time was running out.
The families of the hostages have intensified their protests, demanding an end to the war and the safe return of Israeli captives. Protesters also called on US President Donald Trump to use all available influence to help reach a deal.
Lior Chorev, Chief Strategy Officer for the Hostages Families Forum said, "We're calling on the current Israeli government to stop stalling and to start doing what it was meant to do since October 7th, 2023, to release all the hostages, to put an end to the war and do the right thing and just do it now. And we're calling on the American administration to start pulling strings that are already there in order to get this done."
As Israel accused Hamas of starving the hostages, the group denied the allegations, stating that the hostages eat the same food available to Hamas fighters and the general population in Gaza.
Reacting to the Hamas released video, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said, "They (Hamas) are starving them (hostages) like the Nazis starved the Jews. And when I see these (videos), I understand exactly what Hamas wants. They do not want a deal. They want to break us using these horror videos, and through the false horror propaganda it is spreading around the world, but we will not break. I am filled with an even stronger determination to free our hostages, to eliminate Hamas, to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel."
Netanyahu said he has requested the Red Cross delegation in the region to intervene and supply food and medical care to the hostages.
However, the hostages’ families have repeatedly warned Netanyahu that relying on Red Cross assistance alone will not be enough to save their loved ones.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said, "We must say this in the clearest terms, we have tried everything, military pressure, transferring residents, stopping food supplies, occupying areas and assassinating Hamas leaders, none of this has helped in returning all the hostages. The only thing we have not tried yet is a comprehensive agreement in exchange for ending the war."
Notably, Hamas stated that it would respond "positively" to any Red Cross request to deliver food and medicine to the captives—if Israel opens a permanent humanitarian corridor and halts air strikes during aid deliveries.
