Israelis Demand Ceasefire as Distressing Videos of Emaciated Hostages in Gaza Ignite Public Outcry

In Jerusalem, harrowing videos of emaciated Israeli hostages detained in Gaza have sparked widespread outrage and intensified calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The footage, released by militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, depicts two desperately ill hostages appealing for their lives.

Evyatar David is seen digging his own grave while expressing days without food, while Rom Braslavsky can be seen writhing in pain on a filthy mattress, stating he’s unable to stand due to injuries in his foot. These videos, typically not published by the Associated Press under duress circumstances, were made public with consent from the families of the hostages.

The distressing clips led tens of thousands of Israelis to rally on Saturday night, demanding an immediate ceasefire agreement – a turnout among the highest for recent weeks’ protests. Tami Braslavski, Rom’s mother, expressed her anguish in a statement, saying “In this new video, his eyes are extinguished. He is helpless, and so am I.”

The videos were made public as concerns of impending famine among Palestinians in Gaza escalate. Shocking images of starving Palestinians have drawn international criticism over Israel’s restrictions on aid delivery to the territory.

Family members of the hostages fear that the food shortage may also impact the remaining captives. It is estimated that less than half of the 50 hostages are still alive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock upon viewing the videos and met with the Red Cross to request them to deliver food and medicine to the hostages – a request that the organization claims has never been granted by Hamas.

“When I see these, I understand exactly what Hamas wants,” Netanyahu stated on Sunday. “They do not want a deal; they want to break us using these videos of horror.”

Netanyahu expressed renewed determination to secure the hostages’ release and eliminate Hamas, claiming that the militant group is intentionally starving the hostages like the Nazis starved the Jews during World War II.

The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern over the harrowing videos and called for access to the hostages. Hamas’ military wing has stated it is prepared to facilitate the delivery of food to hostages if humanitarian corridors for aid deliveries are established consistently in Gaza. They also denied any intentional starvation of the hostages.

Israel has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council regarding the hostages, which will take place on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will attend the meeting in New York, stating that Hamas is utilizing the hostages to impose its conditions for remaining in power in Gaza.

Netanyahu announced plans to convene the Cabinet this week to guide Israel’s military toward achieving objectives of defeating the enemy, releasing the hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel – “all of them, without exception.”

The videos of the hostages emerged as experts warn that Gaza is on the brink of a potential famine due to Israel’s blockade. Between March 2 and May 19, no aid entered Gaza, while deliveries have been limited since then. The United Nations reports that at least 850 people have died attempting to access aid near chaotic and dangerous distribution sites set up by Israel and the United States in May.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported five more adult deaths due to malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours, making a total of 87 since the ministry began counting such deaths in late June. Ninety-three children have also died of malnutrition-related causes since the war in Gaza commenced. Israel’s government denies that people are starving to death in Gaza.

The conflict began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of another 251 individuals. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has resulted in over 60,900 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but states that women and children account for more than half the dead, is part of the Hamas government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable casualty count. Israel has contested the figures but hasn’t provided its own.