Families Protest in Tel Aviv After Hostage Videos Emerge Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" on Saturday to protest after militant groups released new videos depicting hostages in visibly fragile health. The footage, released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, showed hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in deteriorating condition. Both are among approximately fifty hostages believed to remain in Gaza, with at least twenty thought to be alive.

The release of the videos comes as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled and as humanitarian agencies warn of worsening starvation in Gaza. Steve Witkoff, the United States’ special envoy to the Middle East, attended the protest and later met with about forty representatives of the hostage families. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Witkoff told the families that ceasefire negotiations should aim to return all fifty hostages at once, stating, > "The plan is not to expand the war, but to end it. We think the negotiations should be changed to all or nothing. End the war and bring all 50 hostages home at the same time – that’s the only way." He also reportedly said, > "Someone will be to blame" if the remaining living hostages do not return to Israel alive, and that the US would "get your children home and hold Hamas responsible for any bad acts on their part."

Hostage families have called for an end to the conflict and a comprehensive deal to secure the release of those still held. In a statement, they appealed to both the Israeli government and the US administration to act urgently. Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said fighting in Gaza would continue "without rest" if no hostage deal is reached, adding that a partial deal could be determined in the coming days.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Gaza’s health ministry reported that seven people died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths since 2023 to 169. Additionally, at least 39 people were killed and more than 800 injured while waiting for aid in the same period, according to the ministry.