As Israel continues its military campaign, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching dire proportions. (Human Rights Watch)
Israeli Prime Minister met with the families of two hostages held in Gaza after disturbing videos of them surfaced online, as the humanitarian situation in the war-torn strip deteriorated further with fresh reports of famine deaths and fatal shootings at aid distribution sites.
Since Thursday, Hamas and its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad have released three video clips showing Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, two of the many hostages abducted during the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel. The footage has reignited Israeli public outcry and triggered widespread demands for an immediate truce and a hostage release agreement.
In response to the emotional toll of the videos, Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Saturday night that the Prime Minister personally met with the families of both hostages.
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“The prime minister expressed profound shock over the materials distributed by the terror organisations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and told the families that the efforts to return all our hostages are ongoing, and will continue constantly and relentlessly,” said the official statement.
The videos show Braslavski, 21, a dual German-Israeli citizen, and David, 24, appearing severely undernourished and physically weakened after nearly 22 months in captivity. Their frail conditions are seen as emblematic of the worsening humanitarian situation inside Gaza.
As Israel continues its military campaign, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching dire proportions. The Palestinian Health Ministry, via Telegram, reported on Sunday that six more adults died of starvation in the last 24 hours, raising the total famine-related death toll to 175, including 93 children.
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United Nations-mandated experts have warned of a rapidly deteriorating food crisis in the region, describing the situation as a "famine unfolding". Aid agencies and humanitarian workers have repeatedly called for secure corridors to transport food and medical supplies, but access remains severely constrained.
Another unfortunate episode occurred on Sunday, when Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians at food aid distribution sites, according to hospital officials and witnesses.
The Associated Press reported accounts from survivors who described the scenes as chaotic and violent. Yousef Abed, one of those seeking food, recalled the moment Israeli gunfire erupted around them.
“I couldn’t stop and help them because of the bullets,” he told AP. “I looked around and saw at least three people bleeding on the ground.”
Israeli military officials have not commented on the specific incident but have previously cited security concerns amid overcrowding and a lack of coordination during aid distribution efforts.
