Israel Plans New Assault on Gaza Amid Global Outrage Over Disturbing Hostage Videos

In the wake of harrowing videos depicting emaciated Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Israel is preparing for a new military offensive in Gaza. The footage, showing two young men—Evyatar David, 24, and Rom Braslavski, 21—abducted during the brutal October 7 attacks at the Nova music festival, has sparked international condemnation and intensified calls for urgent action.

 

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The distressing videos reveal the captives in dire conditions: visibly starved, pale, trembling, and near collapse inside Hamas tunnels. One particularly heart-wrenching scene shows David digging what he believes to be his own grave, while Braslavski is seen in tears, revealing he had subsisted on only three crumbs of falafel that day. Their families describe the hostages as “living skeletons,” with Braslavski’s family stating, “They have simply been forgotten there.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a fiery address, declaring that the “gloves are off” and vowing a decisive military victory to free the remaining hostages. He condemned Hamas for deliberately starving the captives, drawing chilling comparisons to Nazi war crimes. Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas militants surrounding the prisoners “have everything they need to eat” but are intentionally inflicting starvation.

The videos, released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad with family approval, have had a profound impact domestically and internationally. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the images as “sickening,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron demanded the immediate release of hostages. The International Committee of the Red Cross called the footage “stark evidence” of life-threatening conditions and demanded urgent access to the captives.

Within Israel, the security cabinet is divided over the military response. While Netanyahu and some ministers, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, advocate for an expanded offensive into Gaza areas previously avoided to protect hostages, military leaders such as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Mossad chief David Barnea urge caution. Far-right ministers like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich push for a full-scale reoccupation of Gaza.

Senior Israeli officials report that Hamas has rejected all diplomatic proposals, including full hostage release and Gaza demilitarization. Hamas’s strategy appears to rely on starving the hostages and applying international pressure to force Israeli concessions, a tactic Netanyahu insists Israel will not tolerate. Israeli sources confirm the Prime Minister is coordinating closely with Washington, which is signaling a shift away from supporting partial hostage deals toward a comprehensive military solution.

Israel’s war cabinet faces a critical crossroads as it balances the imperative to save hostages with the risks of escalating conflict further. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with satellite images showing massive aid crowds and reports of desperate Gazans overrunning food trucks amid ongoing hostilities. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue targeting Hamas operatives, including the recent elimination of another senior Hamas planner responsible for the October 7 atrocities.

Despite ongoing conflict, there remains fragile hope for peace. A ceasefire in January 2025 temporarily freed 25 Israeli hostages and 1,900 Palestinian prisoners but collapsed after renewed violence. A U.S.-backed 60-day truce attempt in July aimed at freeing remaining hostages and initiating permanent talks has stalled amid unresolved demands: Hamas insists on full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel demands Hamas disarmament. With both sides entrenched and mutual mistrust high, the prospect of a lasting peace deal remains uncertain.

In summary, the disturbing videos of starved Israeli hostages have galvanized Israel’s leadership and international community, prompting a renewed military push against Hamas in Gaza. The unfolding crisis underscores the profound human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that ensures the safety of captives and a sustainable peace for the region.

 

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