'Buried alive' Israeli hostage family says he is being starved for propaganda

The family of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza have said Hamas is starving him after the release of a video in which he appeared emaciated.

- William Christou

The footage, released on Saturday, shows Evyatar David speaking in what appeared to be a Hamas tunnel in Gaza. In scenes that have caused outrage and dismay in Israel, he is shown digging what he says could be his own grave. In comments made under duress, he urges the 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 weak, slurred voice. He walks away from the camera, revealing his emaciated body.

"Time is running out. You are the only ones who can end this," he says, in what appear to be comments directed at Israel's leadership.

Hamas captured David at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, the day Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and captured approximately 250 hostages. He is one of 49 hostages still held by Hamas, 22 of whom are thought to still be alive.

David's family released a statement accusing Hamas of starving him for propaganda.