Hamas has released a second video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, showing him skeletally thin and digging what he says is his own grave. The group has reaffirmed it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established, a key obstacle to ceasefire talks.
The family of David condemned the video, with his brother Ilay stating at a Tel Aviv rally that the hostages are on the “absolute brink of death”. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv calling for an immediate deal to secure the release of the remaining 49 hostages, 27 of whom the Israeli military says are dead.
Starvation is taking hold in Gaza, with UN-backed experts warning of famine. Seven Palestinians died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including a child, bringing the total of child deaths from malnutrition to 93 since the war began. Israel is facing global outrage over restrictions on aid, though it blames Hamas for the suffering.
Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visited an aid distribution site, working on a plan to end the war. Germany and France have called for more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, while the UN says airdrops are insufficient and land access must be eased.
