Hostage video shows Israeli man 'on the brink of death'
The nearly five-minute clip shows 24-year-old Evyatar David in a narrow tunnel, being forced to dig what he describes as his "own grave".
His family approved the video's release on Saturday.
Evyatar David's brother, Ilay, spoke at a rally of 60,000 people at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on the Israeli government and world leaders to secure the release of the hostages "by any means necessary".
Hamas is using the captives as "live hunger experiments", Ilay David was quoted as saying in Tel Aviv by the Times of Israel.
In the video Evyatar David recounts the days in July when he was given only beans, lentils or nothing at all to eat.
"Hamas is using our son as a live experiment in a vile hunger campaign," his family wrote in a statement.
"He is being starved purely to serve Hamas's propaganda."
David was abducted on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the attack by Hamas.
Speaking at the rally, Ilay David said the hostages were "on the absolute brink of death".
"Stop this nightmare, that has continued for 666 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X.
"Sign a comprehensive agreement that will bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting."
According to the Times of Israel, people also took to the streets in other cities in Israel.
In the hostage video, Evyatar David addresses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying "I have been completely abandoned by you, my prime minister, by you, who should be taking care of me and all the other prisoners."
In its propaganda, Hamas refers to its hostages as "prisoners".
A staged scene at the end of the clip shows David holding a shovel, digging a hollow area in the sandy floor of the tunnel.
"Here I am digging my own grave," he says.
He adds that he is growing weaker by the day and believes this will be his burial site. The clip ends with the text message: "Only a ceasefire agreement will bring them (the hostages) back."
At least 20 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza.A video showing a severely emaciated Israeli hostage held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been released by his family, as thousands of demonstrators in Israel call for the immediate release of all hostages.
The nearly five-minute clip shows 24-year-old Evyatar David in a narrow tunnel, being forced to dig what he describes as his "own grave".
His family approved the video's release on Saturday.
Evyatar David's brother, Ilay, spoke at a rally of 60,000 people at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on the Israeli government and world leaders to secure the release of the hostages "by any means necessary".
Hamas is using the captives as "live hunger experiments", Ilay David was quoted as saying in Tel Aviv by the Times of Israel.
In the video Evyatar David recounts the days in July when he was given only beans, lentils or nothing at all to eat.
"Hamas is using our son as a live experiment in a vile hunger campaign," his family wrote in a statement.
"He is being starved purely to serve Hamas's propaganda."
David was abducted on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the attack by Hamas.
Speaking at the rally, Ilay David said the hostages were "on the absolute brink of death".
"Stop this nightmare, that has continued for 666 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X.
"Sign a comprehensive agreement that will bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting."
According to the Times of Israel, people also took to the streets in other cities in Israel.
In the hostage video, Evyatar David addresses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying "I have been completely abandoned by you, my prime minister, by you, who should be taking care of me and all the other prisoners."
In its propaganda, Hamas refers to its hostages as "prisoners".
A staged scene at the end of the clip shows David holding a shovel, digging a hollow area in the sandy floor of the tunnel.
"Here I am digging my own grave," he says.
He adds that he is growing weaker by the day and believes this will be his burial site. The clip ends with the text message: "Only a ceasefire agreement will bring them (the hostages) back."
At least 20 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza.A video showing a severely emaciated Israeli hostage held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been released by his family, as thousands of demonstrators in Israel call for the immediate release of all hostages.
The nearly five-minute clip shows 24-year-old Evyatar David in a narrow tunnel, being forced to dig what he describes as his "own grave".
His family approved the video's release on Saturday.
Evyatar David's brother, Ilay, spoke at a rally of 60,000 people at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on the Israeli government and world leaders to secure the release of the hostages "by any means necessary".
Hamas is using the captives as "live hunger experiments", Ilay David was quoted as saying in Tel Aviv by the Times of Israel.
In the video Evyatar David recounts the days in July when he was given only beans, lentils or nothing at all to eat.
"Hamas is using our son as a live experiment in a vile hunger campaign," his family wrote in a statement.
"He is being starved purely to serve Hamas's propaganda."
David was abducted on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the attack by Hamas.
Speaking at the rally, Ilay David said the hostages were "on the absolute brink of death".
"Stop this nightmare, that has continued for 666 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X.
"Sign a comprehensive agreement that will bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting."
According to the Times of Israel, people also took to the streets in other cities in Israel.
In the hostage video, Evyatar David addresses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying "I have been completely abandoned by you, my prime minister, by you, who should be taking care of me and all the other prisoners."
In its propaganda, Hamas refers to its hostages as "prisoners".
A staged scene at the end of the clip shows David holding a shovel, digging a hollow area in the sandy floor of the tunnel.
"Here I am digging my own grave," he says.
He adds that he is growing weaker by the day and believes this will be his burial site. The clip ends with the text message: "Only a ceasefire agreement will bring them (the hostages) back."
At least 20 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza.A video showing a severely emaciated Israeli hostage held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been released by his family, as thousands of demonstrators in Israel call for the immediate release of all hostages.
The nearly five-minute clip shows 24-year-old Evyatar David in a narrow tunnel, being forced to dig what he describes as his "own grave".
His family approved the video's release on Saturday.
Evyatar David's brother, Ilay, spoke at a rally of 60,000 people at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on the Israeli government and world leaders to secure the release of the hostages "by any means necessary".
Hamas is using the captives as "live hunger experiments", Ilay David was quoted as saying in Tel Aviv by the Times of Israel.
In the video Evyatar David recounts the days in July when he was given only beans, lentils or nothing at all to eat.
"Hamas is using our son as a live experiment in a vile hunger campaign," his family wrote in a statement.
"He is being starved purely to serve Hamas's propaganda."
David was abducted on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the attack by Hamas.
Speaking at the rally, Ilay David said the hostages were "on the absolute brink of death".
"Stop this nightmare, that has continued for 666 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X.
"Sign a comprehensive agreement that will bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting."
According to the Times of Israel, people also took to the streets in other cities in Israel.
In the hostage video, Evyatar David addresses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying "I have been completely abandoned by you, my prime minister, by you, who should be taking care of me and all the other prisoners."
In its propaganda, Hamas refers to its hostages as "prisoners".
A staged scene at the end of the clip shows David holding a shovel, digging a hollow area in the sandy floor of the tunnel.
"Here I am digging my own grave," he says.
He adds that he is growing weaker by the day and believes this will be his burial site. The clip ends with the text message: "Only a ceasefire agreement will bring them (the hostages) back."
At least 20 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
17 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
‘My parents are shattered': Brother of Israeli hostage speaks following distressing new footage
The brother of an Israeli hostage being held in Gaza has spoken on a video released by Hamas. The video, which has been authorised by the hostage's family, shows Evyatar David emaciated and weak and has been condemned by Israel and Western leaders. Ilay David, the brother of the Israeli hostage, claims the clip has left his parents shattered, and they barely recognised their son. 'My parents are shattered, my father can't sleep, my mum cries all day,' he said. Warning: Distressing footage.
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
'Die is cast': Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders full occupation of Gaza strip despite objections within IDF, global pleas to end war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli military to expand operations in all remaining areas of the Gaza strip, marking a dangerous escalation in the war after failed ceasefire talks last week. Netanyahu is due to seek cabinet backing this week for the bold plan to occupy the Gaza strip, despite strong objections from the IDF, urging the PM to seek alternative war methods. The Times of Israel reported senior official close to the premier have been quoted in Ynet saying, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' 'There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the IDF chief of staff doesn't agree, he should resign." The Israeli military currently hold operations in about 75 per cent of the Gaza strip, but under the Israeli leader's new plan, the IDF would capture the rest of the besieged enclave, including where the hostages are believed to be held in captivity. Several ministers have reportedly quoted Netanyahu using the term 'occupation of the Strip' in private conversations while describing his vision for the expansion of military operations in Gaza, which would essentially bring the entire strip under Israeli control, The Times of Israel further reported. The fresh update on the Israeli Prime Minister's plans for next steps in Gaza comes following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option. While some in the political leadership are pushing for expanding the offensive, the military is concerned that doing so will endanger the 20 hostages who are still alive, the officials said. Israeli Army Radio reported on Monday that military chief Eyal Zamir has become increasingly frustrated with what he describes as a lack of strategic clarity by the political leadership, concerned about being dragged into a war of attrition with Hamas militants. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the report but said that the military has plans in store. "We have different ways to fight the terror organization, and that's what the army does," Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said. On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which included a call on Hamas to hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Hamas has repeatedly said it won't lay down arms. But it has told mediators it was willing to quit governance in Gaza for a non-partisan ruling body, according to three Hamas officials. It insists that the post-war Gaza arrangement must be agreed upon among the Palestinians themselves and not dictated by foreign powers. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar suggested on Monday that the gaps were still too wide to bridge. "We would like to have all our hostages back. We would like to see the end of this war. We always prefer to get there by diplomatic means, if possible. But of course, the big question is, what will be the conditions for the end of the war?" he told journalists in Jerusalem.
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Benjamin Netanyahu under pressure to end Gaza conflict
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly bring his security cabinet together this week to discuss expanding the ground offensive in Gaza, despite being under pressure to end the conflict. A former prime minister, defence minister, and ex-spy chiefs are among 600 retired Israeli officials who've written to US President Donald Trump asking him to push harder for a ceasefire. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Netanyahu didn't elaborate on what he has planned.
