The brother of an Israeli captive held by Hamas in Gaza has described a newly released video of his sibling as an act of unprecedented brutality, revealing the severe physical deterioration of the hostage.
The footage, circulated by Hamas over the weekend, depicts 24-year-old Evyatar David in a dire state—emaciated and struggling to speak. His brother, Ilay, stated that their parents were devastated upon seeing the images, barely recognizing their son’s weakened voice.
“He looks like a skeleton. He’s been starved to the brink of death, barely able to move or speak,” Ilay said. In the video, Evyatar is seen digging what he claims will be his own grave, whispering, “I haven’t eaten for days… I hardly get any water.”
The video’s release follows another clip showing a different hostage, Rom Braslavski, also visibly malnourished. Both men were seized during the October 7 attack on southern Israel and are among the roughly 50 remaining captives in Gaza, with only about 20 believed to still be alive.
Ilay called on global leaders to intervene, accusing Hamas of deliberate cruelty. “This is a new level of inhumanity,” he said. “He needs medical care and food immediately—or he won’t survive.”
Hamas has denied intentionally starving hostages, claiming they receive the same rations as its fighters and Gaza’s civilians. However, international organizations warn of widespread famine in the besieged enclave, where restrictions on aid have led to reports of starvation-related deaths.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have reiterated their commitment to securing the hostages’ release, though some suggest military action remains a key strategy. This stance has drawn criticism from hostage families and former security officials, who argue that further escalation could endanger captives and prolong suffering.
A group of over 600 retired Israeli officials, including ex-intelligence chiefs, have urged U.S. leaders to push for an immediate ceasefire, insisting Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat. “This war must end now,” they wrote.
As tensions persist, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with UN agencies warning of famine conditions. The conflict, now in its eighth month, shows no clear path to resolution, leaving families of hostages and civilians in Gaza in agonizing limbo.
