Hostage’s Family Pleads at UN Amidst Gruesome Propaganda Videos
Brother of Captive Evyatar David Describes “Living Skeleton” to Security Council
The agonizing plight of hostages held by Hamas has been starkly illuminated at the United Nations, as the brother of one captive delivered a desperate plea for international intervention.
A Plea from the Brink
Ilay David presented a harrowing account of his brother, Evyatar David, to the UN Security Council, detailing the severe conditions he faces as one of 20 living hostages. Evyatar, held since the October 7th attacks, was recently featured in a Hamas propaganda video depicting him emaciated and starving in a Gaza tunnel. His cousin, Tamar Eshet, viewing the footage, expressed profound shock: “We knew that he’s not getting a lot of food and we knew he’s in a tunnel in a bad condition, but I don’t think anyone could imagine something like that, such cruelty, such inhumanity.”
Evyatar David’s brother @ilaydavid speaks at the UN Security Council about the 75 days of captivity his brother is enduring.#BringThemHome #Hostages #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/6d0d1w8bNn
— StandWithUs Israel (@StandWithUsIsrael) January 10, 2024
Ilay implored the international community, stating, “I urge you, do not let them die. We don’t have time. Do not let them spend another minute in darkness, suffering beyond imagination, while we do our part, demanding from the Israeli government to do everything to save the hostages.”
He emphasized that silence in the face of such suffering is tantamount to complicity.
Desperate Measures and International Condemnation
The release of two videos by Hamas over the weekend intensified the anguish of hostage families. One video featured Evyatar describing his lack of food and appearing to dig his own grave. Another showed Rom Braslavski in apparent distress, stating he was on the “verge of death.” These “propaganda videos” have drawn widespread international condemnation.
Ilay shared that he and his mother could not bear to watch the video of Evyatar, fearing it would incapacitate them, while his father and sister were haunted by the images. Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for UN Political Affairs, condemned the videos as “an affront to humanity itself”
and reiterated calls for the unconditional release of all hostages.
Mr. Jenca also highlighted the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that since the end of May, over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and more than 8,100 injured while seeking food. He stated, “The deaths and injuries continue to mount day by day, with no end in sight to the suffering. Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate.”
This situation is further compounded by reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which indicated that as of mid-June 2024, over 1.7 million people in Gaza are displaced, with many struggling for basic necessities (OCHA OPT Situation Report, June 12, 2024).
Hamas Accused of Starving Captives
Tamar Eshet pointed to the video of Evyatar being given beans by a large hand, presumably a militant’s, as evidence of captors hoarding food. “I think the main problem is Hamas taking the food for themselves, starving both hostages and their own people, and using both the hostages and the Gaza people for their propaganda,”
she asserted. She believes Hamas aims to project strength through the humiliation of captives.
Hamas has denied starving hostages, claiming they share the same hunger as Palestinians and would respond to Red Cross requests for food delivery if aid supplies were consistent.
Concerns Over Expanding Military Operations
Mr. Jenca expressed grave concern over reports of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential decision to broaden Israeli military operations across Gaza, warning of “catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.”
