Israeli demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” on Saturday in an urgent show of protest following the circulation of new propaganda videos by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The clips featured visibly malnourished Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, further intensifying calls for immediate action.
Among those shown in the footage were Israeli captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both appearing weak and frail.
One of the videos, showing David in a cramped cell, was initially withheld by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, but a still image was later released with the family’s consent.
The video’s release came as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked, and amid worsening hunger conditions in Gaza.
David and Braslavski are believed to be among the roughly 50 hostages still held in the enclave, with at least 20 thought to be alive.
Islamic Jihad noted that the footage of Braslavski was likely the last recorded before contact was lost with those holding him in July.
The protests in Tel Aviv coincided with a visit from U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who had just returned from inspecting a contentious American-supported aid distribution point in Gaza.
Witkoff later met with around 40 representatives of the hostage families in what sources described as a deeply emotional, nearly three-hour-long meeting.
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Witkoff stressed the need for a decisive strategy in ceasefire talks, “The plan is not to expand the war, but to end it. We think the negotiations should be changed to all or nothing. End the war and bring all 50 hostages home at the same time, that’s the only way,” he reportedly stated.
Witkoff further emphasized the stakes involved, “Someone will be to blame” if the remaining hostages are not returned alive.
He also assured the families that the U.S. is committed to securing the release of their loved ones and to holding Hamas accountable, “We have a plan to end the war and bring everyone home,” he said. “We will get your children home and hold Hamas responsible for any bad acts on their part” while also committing to “do what’s right for the Gazan people.”
Saturday’s protest was driven by growing anguish among hostage families, who have consistently voiced concern that ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza jeopardize the lives of those still in captivity.
“Against the backdrop of horrifying footage and harsh reports about the hostages’ condition – hostage families will cry out this morning in the heart of Tel Aviv,” a statement from the families read. “We appeal to the Israeli government and the US administration, look our loved ones and us, in the eyes.”
Israeli military leadership has made its stance clear. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Friday that operations in Gaza will not cease in the absence of a hostage deal.
“I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we will succeed in reaching a partial deal for the release of our captives. If not, the fighting will continue without rest,” he said.
The video of David, who was kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 Nova music festival attack, resurfaced on Saturday in a longer version released by Hamas. Meanwhile, Braslavski’s family issued a heartfelt plea after seeing his condition, “People talk a lot about what is happening in Gaza, about hunger, and I want to ask everyone who spoke about hunger: Did you see our Rom? He is not receiving food, he is not receiving medicine. He has simply been forgotten there,” they said.
“We ask that Witkoff see this video. And we make an urgent plea to President Trump: Bring our son home.”
Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is reaching alarming levels. A UN-backed agency has issued a dire warning of “the worst case scenario of famine” unfolding. Gaza’s health ministry reported that seven people, including a child, died from malnutrition within the last 24 hours, raising the total starvation-related death toll to 169 since the war began.
Additionally, the ministry stated that more than 39 individuals were killed and over 800 injured within the same period while waiting for aid in different parts of the besieged strip.