Videos of emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David released by Hamas
Two videos of an emaciated Israeli hostage, Evyatar David, have been released by Hamas, after US special envoy Steve Witkoff this week met with the families of the hostages.
The now 24-year-old looks skeletal, with his shoulder blades protruding from his back, and says he has not eaten for three days.
The distressing videos show him apparently digging his own grave.
He worked in a restaurant, according to a video posted by Labour Friends of Israel, before he was abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023.
Since then, he has been held in captivity in Gaza, and the videos suggest he is being kept in dark tunnels and surviving on scarce portions of lentils and beans.
Gaza itself is suffering "man-made mass starvation" because of Israel's blockade on aid to the enclave, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has previously said.
In the second video, released on Saturday, Mr David - according to the English subtitles - says: "I haven't eaten for three days."
The captions continue as he speaks while in an underground tunnel: "There's no [sic] enough food. I barely get drinking water."
The video shows him talking through what ate in July, which has been recorded on a handmade calendar hung up on the side of an underground Gaza tunnel.
Speaking while under captivity and under duress, he adds: "They give me what they can get."
At the end of the video, he is digging a hole. The subtitle reads: "This is the grave where I think I'm going to be buried in. Time is running out."
He then appears to break down, crouching on the floor and leaning his head on his arm while still clinging to the shovel.
In a statement, his family said: "We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - a living skeleton, buried alive.
"Our son has only a few days left to live in his current condition."
They added: "Israel and the international community must oppose Hamas's cruelty and ensure that our Evyatar immediately receives proper nutrition.
"The intentional starvation, torture, and abuse of Evyatar for propaganda purposes violate even the lowest standards of humanitarian law and basic human decency."
'Famine' looms in Gaza
On Friday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff visited a site where the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been distributing food in Gaza.
The controversial GHF scheme has been widely condemned, including by the UK government, after fatal shootings ever since it was set up earlier this year.
According to the United Nations' human rights office, at least 859 people have been killed "in the vicinity" of GHF aid sites since late May.
The Israel Defence Forces has repeatedly said it "categorically rejects the claims of intentional harm to civilians" and has blamed Hamas militants for fomenting chaos and endangering civilians.
Meanwhile, the UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IFSPC) this week said a "worst-case scenario of famine" was sinking in across the besieged enclave.
It has also said more than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition since April.
Families of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are concerned they are also starving, and blame Hamas.
On Saturday, Gaza's health ministry said a further seven Palestinians had died of malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours, including a child.
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Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
This is proof Keir Starmer has only incentivised Hamas to inflict more agony, says ALAN MENDOZA
The limitless cruelty of Hamas is starkly visible in every jutting bone of Evyatar David, the restaurant worker held hostage by Palestinian terrorists since he was seized at gunpoint at a music festival in the October 7 atrocities. In sickening video footage released by Hamas, David was shown close to death from starvation and torture, apparently being forced to dig his own grave. However appalled we are at the images – also controlled and released by Hamas – of starving Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, it ought to be unthinkable that a British government rewards a terrorist organisation for the brutal mistreatment and exploitation of innocent hostages. Yet that is what Sir Keir Starmer has done, by offering to recognise a Palestinian state next month if an immediate ceasefire is not agreed – by Israel alone. In doing so, he has incentivised Hamas to inflict agonies on the hostages, while allowing its own civilian population to starve. And he has placed himself in a seemingly impossible political situation. Both courses of action – either following through on his threat, or performing another U-turn – are likely to destroy his premiership. Make no mistake, it is Hamas only that benefits from the hideous photographs of starvation in Gaza – the scale of which, it is important to note, remains unverified by international reporters who are not allowed into the territory. Hamas is one of the main reasons the flow of aid and distribution of food in Gaza has broken down. The United Nations has been so infiltrated and compromised by Palestinian extremists that their aid workers refuse to co-operate with the Israeli army. The result is an impasse that leaves children dying from hunger while food rots at the Gaza border and while the terrorist leaders gloat that they're winning the propaganda war. Proof of this came in the footage of Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas politician, crowing to Arab news station Al Jazeera about support from Britain, France and Canada. With his jacket open over a well-fed stomach, Hamad sneered: 'The initiative by several countries to recognise a Palestinian state is one of the fruits of October 7.' What an appalling indictment of British foreign policy: a terrorist militia, proscribed under our own laws, boasting of the successes brought about by their slaughter in cold blood of unarmed civilians, many of them women and even children. How is it possible for our Prime Minister to be so naive and badly advised? What did he imagine would be the result of his statement last week? He has rewarded Hamas for everything they have done, and promised a bigger reward if they keep doing it. His obscenely stupid decision is, of course, the result of panic in the Labour ranks. His MPs, including many in his Cabinet, are desperate to fend off the threat to their seats that comes from pro-Palestine Muslim voters in their own constituencies, as well as from the creation of a new, ultra-Left party by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has a majority of just 528, in an area where a third of the population are Muslim. The Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, represents a seat with a 53 per cent Muslim population, and a majority of 3,421. Even a small number among them would tip the balance. In A craven attempt to placate anti-Israeli voters who could wipe out his government at the next General Election, Starmer has sacrificed British strategic interests as well as our moral standing. Our main ally, the US, is disgusted with us, and rightly so. He has removed all pretence that Britain can play a future role in the Middle East as any kind of honest broker. This is a foreign policy designed for Bradford and Birmingham, not the international stage. And it won't work because only a fool would believe that extremists will do anything other than pocket this appeasement before demanding more. To press ahead now with recognising a Palestinian state will do the UK irreparable harm. But to back out will be deeply unpopular with his backbenchers and with his Cabinet. If this proves Keir Starmer's downfall, it will be entirely self-inflicted
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Videos of emaciated hostages condemned as Red Cross calls for access
Western leaders have condemned videos of emaciated Israeli hostages filmed by their captors in Gaza, with the Red Cross calling for access to all remaining in Foreign Secretary David Lammy said "images of hostages being paraded for propaganda are sickening" and they must be released "unconditionally".The calls come after the Palestinian Islamic Jihad published video of Rom Braslavski, thin and crying, on Thursday, and Hamas released footage of an emaciated Evyatar David on leaders accused Hamas of starving armed wing denied it intentionally starves prisoners, saying hostages eat what their fighters and people eat amid a hunger crisis in Gaza. Both Braslavski, 21, and David, 24, were taken hostage from the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023 during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. They are among 49 hostages, out of 251 originally taken, who Israel says are still being held in Gaza. This includes 27 hostages who are believed to be the videos were released, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the two hostage families, expressing "profound shock" and telling them that efforts to return all the hostages "will continue constantly and relentlessly".On Sunday, Netanyahu spoke to the head of the Red Cross in the region, requesting his immediate involvement in providing food and medical care to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was "appalled" by the videos that gave "stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions in which the hostages are being held". The charity reiterated its call to be granted access to the hostages to assess their condition, give them medical support and facilitate contact with their armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades said it would respond positively to any Red Cross request to deliver food and medicine to prisoners if humanitarian corridors were opened into Gaza on a regular and permanent basis, and air strikes halted during the time of receiving Red Cross has faced heavy criticism in Israel over its role in the war, with claims that it has failed to help the hostages being held in this year, amid anger over chaotic scenes as hostages were freed as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas, the organisation explained the limits of its role, saying it relies on the warring parties' goodwill to operate in conflict zones. There has also been criticism from Palestinians, as the group has not been allowed to visit Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails since 7 October 2023. At the weekend in Tel Aviv, crowds of protesters and hostage families gathered once again, calling on the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages. David and Braslavski's families said at a rally on Saturday that "everyone must get out of hell, now."In one video, Braslavski is seen crying as he says he has "run out of food and water" and only ate three falafels that day. He says he is unable to stand or walk, and "on the verge of death".Braslavski's family in a statement said "they managed to break Rom" and pleaded to Israeli and US leaders to bring their son home."He has simply been forgotten there," they said. In the second video, David said "I haven't eaten for days... I barely got drinking water" and is seen digging what he says will be his own family said he was being "deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - a living skeleton, buried alive". German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "appalled" by the images, adding the release of all hostages was a mandatory prerequisite for a ceasefire between Israel and President Emmanuel Macron, who said Hamas embodies "abject cruelty", added France continues to work tirelessly towards the release of hostages, to restore a ceasefire, and to enable humanitarian aid to enter said this effort must be accompanied with a political solution, with a two-state solution "with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace". France recently announced its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, along with Canada and the UK, under certain conditions. Israel has strongly condemned the images of emaciated hostages are coming out as UN-backed agencies have said the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out" in Gaza, with malnutrition deaths reported Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday that 175 people, including 93 children, have died of malnutrition since the start of the UN, aid agencies and some of Israel's allies blame the hunger crisis on Israeli restrictions on the entry and delivery of humanitarian aid. Israel denies the allegation and blames the overwhelming evidence, Israeli authorities, and part of the country's press, strongly reject that there is starvation in Gaza, and say the crisis is a lie fabricated by Hamas and spread by international pictures of emaciated children have been displayed by Israeli protesters calling for a deal with Hamas, but many in Israel seem unaware of the extent of the emergency the war continues, Israel faces growing international isolation, as the widespread destruction in Gaza and the suffering of Palestinians spark outrage. Polls around the world suggest that public opinion is increasingly negative about Israel, which is putting pressure on leaders to act.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Hamas says it will allow aid for hostages if Israel halts airstrikes, opens permanent humanitarian corridors
CAIRO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Hamas said on Sunday it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions, after a video it released showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers. Hamas said any coordination with the Red Cross is contingent upon Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas, thus far, has barred humanitarian organizations from having any kind of access to the hostages and families have little or no details of their conditions. On Saturday, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole that, he says in the video, is for his own grave. The arm of the individual holding the camera, which can be seen in the frame, is a regular width. The video of David drew criticism from Western powers and horrified Israelis. France, Germany, the UK and the U.S. were among countries to express outrage and Israel's foreign ministry announced that the UN Security Council will hold a special session on Tuesday morning on the issue of the situation of the hostages in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had asked the Red Cross to give humanitarian assistance to the hostages during a conversation with the head of the Swiss-based ICRC's local delegation. A statement from The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, said Hamas' comments about the hostages cannot hide that it "has been holding innocent people in impossible conditions for over 660 days," and demanded their immediate release. "Until their release," said the statement, "Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. Hamas kidnapped them and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas's hands." Six more people died of starvation or malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, its health ministry said on Sunday as Israel said it allowed a delivery of fuel to the enclave, in the throes of a humanitarian disaster after almost two years of war. The new deaths raised the toll of those dying from what international humanitarian agencies say may be an unfolding famine to 175, including 93 children, since the war began, the ministry said. Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said later in the day that four tankers of U.N. fuel had entered to help in operations of hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens and other essential services. There was no immediate confirmation whether the two diesel fuel trucks had entered Gaza from Egypt. Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients. Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas militants to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel. Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international uproar, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys. U.N. agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble. COGAT said that during the past week over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by U.N. and other international organisations. Meanwhile, Belgium's air force dropped the first in a series of its aid packages into Gaza on Sunday in a joint operation with Jordan, the Belgian defence ministry said. France on Friday started to air-drop 40 tons of humanitarian aid. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs. More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive. Palestinian local health authorities said at least 80 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said. Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at its headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials.
