Shocking video shows emaciated Evyatar digging his own grave as starvation worsens in Gaza
What happened?
A harrowing video released by Hamas shows Israeli hostage Evyatar David, 24, digging what he says will be his own grave inside a narrow, concrete tunnel in Gaza. David appears emaciated, his bones visible beneath sunken skin, barely able to stand. He says in the video, “I haven’t eaten for days… I barely got drinking water.”
David was captured by Hamas militants at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during their deadly assault that killed around 1,200 people. He remains one of 49 hostages still held in Gaza, with 27 believed to be dead.
Family Accuses Hamas of Starvation as Propaganda
David’s family issued a statement condemning Hamas for deliberately starving him as part of a “propaganda campaign.” They described him as a “living skeleton, buried alive” and called on the Israeli government and international community to do everything possible to save him.
“We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas’s tunnels,” the family said.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Blockade
Aid agencies have accused Israel of worsening the famine in Gaza by weaponizing food as part of its military campaign against Hamas—a claim Israel denies. The Israeli government insists it is not restricting aid shipments, but international organizations and the UN reject these claims.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently airdropped 90 food aid packages across Gaza, cooperating with the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, France, and Germany, but malnutrition deaths continue. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported seven more malnutrition deaths on Saturday alone, with a total of 169 since the conflict began, including 93 children.
Ongoing Violence and Casualties
The health ministry also reported at least 83 deaths and over 1,000 injuries in the last 24 hours amid ongoing Israeli military offensives. Aid distribution remains tense and dangerous, with reports of clashes near aid sites.
Protests and International Pressure
Following the release of the disturbing hostage videos, protests erupted in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, with families and supporters demanding action to bring the hostages home safely. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met with hostage family representatives, urging “all or nothing” ceasefire negotiations that include the release of all remaining hostages simultaneously.
“The plan is not to expand the war, but to end it,” Witkoff said, stressing that “someone will be to blame” if hostages don’t return alive.
The Human Cost
The stark images of Evyatar David and other hostages starkly highlight the human toll amid the wider conflict. As starvation and violence escalate in Gaza, the fate of dozens of Israeli captives remains uncertain.
Watch: Footage of Evyatar David during Hamas captivity has surfaced online, showing his frail condition and the disturbing circumstances he endured. Viewer discretion is advised.
For more updates on the Gaza crisis, hostage situations, and global conflict coverage, subscribe to DOJO News Network and stay informed.
