‘Living skeleton’: Who are the two Israeli hostages seen in new videos from Gaza?

Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski have been identified as the two Israeli hostages shown in recently released videos recorded by their captors.

Notably, Hamas shared two separate videos of David within less than two days. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group released a video showing Braslavski, appearing pale and frail, months after he was first seen on camera.

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Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which works in coordination with Hamas but operates independently, is holding at least one of the 49 hostages still believed to be in Gaza. Israeli authorities say around 20 of them may still be alive.

The release of these videos has been condemned by several Western leaders, while Israeli officials have accused Hamas of denying the hostages food.

Over the weekend, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, including relatives of the hostages and protesters, once again urging the Israeli government to bring them home.

In this explainer, we break down who the hostages are and what is known about the developments so far.

Let’s take a look:

Who is Evyatar David?

David was captured by Hamas during the attack on the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 others.

David, who is 24 years old, has been held in Gaza ever since.

The latest footage shows him speaking from what looks like a Hamas tunnel. In moments that have shocked and upset many in Israel, he is seen digging what he says might be his own grave.

Speaking under pressure, he appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire.

“Today is 27 July, at 12pm, I don’t know what I’m going to eat. I haven’t eaten for a few days in a row,” David says in a faint, strained voice. He then turns around and walks away, showing how thin he has become.

“Time is running out. You are the only ones who can end this,” he says, appearing to address Israel’s leadership.

David’s family later issued a statement, blaming Hamas for starving him for the purpose of propaganda.

“We are forced to witness our dear son and brother Evyatar being deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza – a living skeleton buried alive. Our son has only a few days left to live in his current condition,” their statement said.

The video has drawn criticism from Western countries. France, Germany, the UK and the US all expressed outrage. Israel’s foreign ministry said the UN Security Council will hold a special session on Tuesday morning to discuss the hostage situation in Gaza.

Who is Rom Braslavski?

Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival when he was kidnapped. Witnesses say he managed to help several people escape before being taken.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video of Braslavski, saying it was recorded just days before they lost contact with the group that had been holding him. The group also claimed they were no longer aware of what had happened to him, according to The Times of Israel.

In the video, 21-year-old Braslavski identifies himself and begs the Israeli government to secure his release.

He appears weak and pale, lying on the ground and watching a news report about the hunger crisis in Gaza.

His father, Ofir, reacted after the video was aired on Channel 12. “What can I say? He’s dying. You’re watching your son dying before your eyes and there’s nothing you can do,” he said.

What did Netanyahu say?

After the release of the videos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the families of the two hostages.

He expressed “profound shock” and assured them that efforts to bring all hostages home “will continue constantly and relentlessly”.

On Sunday, Netanyahu also spoke with the regional head of the Red Cross, urging immediate help in providing food and medical care to the hostages.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reiterated its appeal to be allowed access to the hostages. The organisation said it wants to check on their condition, offer medical support and help them communicate with their families.

Over the weekend in Tel Aviv, crowds gathered once again, including families of hostages, calling on the Israeli government to take action and ensure the hostages’ release.

At a rally on Saturday, the families of David and Braslavski said, “everyone must get out of hell, now.”

What did Hamas say?

Hamas stated that any coordination with the Red Cross would depend on Israel keeping humanitarian routes open and stopping airstrikes while aid is being delivered.

In response to Israeli leaders accusing them of starving hostages, Hamas’s armed wing denied doing so on purpose.

It claimed that hostages receive the same food as its fighters and civilians during the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza.

Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled. Talks aimed at exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners have made little progress.

Last month, Israeli and American negotiators left Doha, Qatar, where the discussions are taking place, without reaching an agreement.

Mass hunger in Gaza

Aid groups have accused Israel of driving Gaza towards famine by using food as a tool in its war against Hamas, a claim that Israel denies.

Israel has said there is “no starvation” in Gaza and that it is not blocking aid. However, several of its close allies in Europe, along with the UN and other humanitarian groups working in the region, have rejected these claims.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, 175 people, including 93 children, have died from what international agencies warn may be the early stages of famine since the conflict began.

The ministry added that a lack of fuel has left hospitals struggling to operate, with doctors now focusing only on patients in the most critical condition.

With inputs from agencies