The families of Israeli hostages held an emergency rally Saturday night at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, following the release of harrowing videos in recent days by terrorist organizations and growing fears that the negotiations for their release may collapse.
"Never again! End this nightmare that has lasted for 666 days. Each day worsens the hostages' condition and increases the danger that their bodies will disappear," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. "We demand a comprehensive deal and an end to the fighting, now."
Among the speakers were Elai and Yaala David, siblings of Evyatar David, who appeared in a harrowing video released this week by Hamas. In the footage, Evyatar describes extreme hunger and is seen digging his own grave.
"Avitar is our middle brother, a sweet soul, full of life and a true friend," his siblings said. "He loves good food, going to the gym, and has the most beautiful and contagious smile in the world."
They described the emotional trauma of watching the video: "Last night, we saw our brother being deliberately and cynically starved in a dungeon in Gaza. Hamas used our Evyatar as a live experiment in a disgusting hunger campaign. Just two hours ago, we saw him detailing the hunger he's enduring."
They called on Israel and the international community to act: "The State of Israel and the international community must stand against Hamas' cruelty and ensure that Evyatar and [fellow hostage] Guy receive immediate medical care and proper nutrition. Israel and the world must not remain silent in the face of this deliberate starvation campaign."
Yaala ended the speech with a personal message: "Avitar, our beloved brother, Elai, Mom, Dad and I love you so much and are torn apart by longing. Mom is broken and nonfunctional. Dad hears your voice at night and can't sleep. We're waiting for you. You'll come back to yourself, I promise you, my brother."
Ophir Breslevski, father of captive Rom Breslevski, who was shown in a separate video released by Islamic Jihad, with whom contact has since been lost, also spoke at the rally. "My son is dying! I saw it with my own eyes," he said.
Former hostage Omer Wenekrat, who was held for 505 days and shared a tunnel with Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, described the moment he last saw Evyatar: "His eyes said to me, 'Omer, my brother, help me. I'm abandoned.'"
Other speakers included Michel Iluz, father of hostage Guy Iluz; former national security adviser Eyal Hulata; Amit Nimrodi, sister of hostage Tamir Nimrodi; and Amit Simantov Wahba, a survivor of the October 7 massacre in Nir Oz who lost six family members.
