Shocking footage of starving Israeli captives sparks global outrage and urgent calls from the Red Cross for access, as Hamas and Israel trade blame for a growing hunger crisis.
Western leaders have condemned shocking videos released last week by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing emaciated Israeli hostages in Gaza. The footage of Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, appearing thin and desperate, has prompted the Red Cross to demand immediate access to all captives, escalating international pressure for their unconditional release and proper medical care.
The videos, which UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called "sickening propaganda," depict the dire conditions of the hostages. In one, Rom Braslavski, 21, is seen crying, stating he is "at death's door" and unable to stand after eating only "three crumbs of falafels." In another, an emaciated Evyatar David, 24, says he has not eaten for days and is seen digging what he claims will be his own grave. Israeli leaders accused Hamas of deliberately starving the hostages, a charge Hamas’s armed wing denied, claiming prisoners eat what their fighters and the local population eat amid Gaza's hunger crisis.
The footage has drawn sharp condemnation from world leaders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "appalled" by the images, calling the release of all hostages a "mandatory prerequisite for a ceasefire." French President Emmanuel Macron described Hamas's actions as "abject cruelty" and reiterated France's commitment to securing a release, a ceasefire, and a two-state political solution. The hostages' families have pleaded for their release, with Braslavski's family stating, "they managed to break Rom."
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was "appalled" by the "stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions" and reiterated its call for access to provide medical care. In response, Hamas's armed wing said it would cooperate if humanitarian corridors were permanently opened into Gaza. The Red Cross has faced criticism from both Israelis, for its perceived failure to help hostages, and Palestinians, as it has not been allowed to visit Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails since October 7.
Braslavski and David were among 251 people abducted from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Israel reports that 49 hostages remain in Gaza, including 27 who are believed to be dead. The videos emerge as UN-backed agencies warn that famine is "currently playing out" in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 175 deaths from malnutrition. Israel denies allegations that it is restricting aid, blaming Hamas for the crisis.
The current status leaves the hostages in critical condition while public pressure mounts on the Israeli government, with large protests in Tel Aviv demanding a deal for their release. The international community continues to push for a ceasefire tied to the hostages' freedom. The situation underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the growing diplomatic isolation Israel faces as the devastating war continues.
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