"Israeli hostage's food supply being withheld by the occupying administration, as depicted in a recent Hamas video"
In a troubling development, recent videos released by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) show two Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, emaciated after being held for over 21 months. The videos, part of psychological warfare tactics, have sparked outrage and widespread demonstrations in Israel.
The 24-year-old Evyatar David is seen in one video digging what he claims will be his own grave, highlighting the dire conditions they face. These videos were issued after ceasefire negotiations broke down in late July 2025.
Israel currently states that 49 hostages remain in Gaza, with 27 believed to have died. The release of these videos has led to large rallies in Tel Aviv, where families of the hostages and protesters alike call for an end to the hostilities and the return of the remaining hostages.
The 'hostages' square' in Tel Aviv has become a meeting point for families of the abducted and protesters seeking peace. On Saturday, families of both Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski held a protest there.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has reported recent deaths due to malnutrition, and there are allegations against Israel of using starvation as a weapon, which Israel denies.
Negotiation efforts have faced major setbacks. The videos were released after the collapse of ceasefire talks, reflecting the complex and volatile nature of hostage negotiations with Hamas and PIJ. Israel has announced humanitarian pauses and safe aid corridors to facilitate aid delivery in Gaza amid the conflict, though challenges remain.
In a significant move, the US President's special envoy for the Middle East met with the families of Israeli hostages in Gaza for the first time. The meeting aimed to discuss the ongoing situation and potential solutions.
This is not the first time such videos have been released. Hamas previously published a video of Evyatar David in February, his last known appearance before the latest videos surfaced. Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski were kidnapped during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which started the war.
As the situation remains tense, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the hostage crisis and an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The release of these distressing videos featuring Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski has ignited intense debate in general-news and politics, eliciting public outrage over the ongoing war-and-conflicts and calls for immediate action. Amidst the crowded gatherings of the 'hostages' square in Tel Aviv, crime-and-justice issues have surfaced as families of the abducted and protesters alike demand justice and a swift end to the hostilities.
