Protesters gathered at Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” on Saturday to launch an emergency protest following the release of propaganda videos showing that the promoted Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza.
A video released this week by extremist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad shows Israeli hostages Eviyata David and Rom Braslavsky in visibly vulnerable states. David’s dateless footage is juxtaposed with images of hungry Palestinian children.
They are one of the 50 remaining hostages on the territory, of which at least 20 are believed to be alive.
The extremist group released a video in its ceasefire talk as Palestinians face starvation crisis in enclaves.
US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff attended the public square on Saturday amid protests a day after visiting the controversial US aid aid streaming site in the Gaza Strip.
Witkov later held a “very emotional meeting” that lasted for nearly three hours with about 40 representatives of the hostage family. A source attending the meeting told CNN.
During the meeting, Witkov said that ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas should be “all or nothing” and that all 50 hostages in Gaza should be returned to Israel at once.
“The plan is not to expand the war, it’s about ending it. I think negotiations should be changed to everything. It can end the war and bring all 50 hostages home at the same time.
According to the forum, if the remaining living hostages are not yet alive in Israel, “someone will blame them.”
According to the forum, Witkov said the United States would “take your child home and put Hamas on the responsibility for the bad behavior on their part,” and “do the right thing for the people of Gazan.”
“We have plans to end the war and bring everyone home,” he added.
CNN contacted Witkoff’s team to see if they made these comments.
Hostage families have frequently said that the ongoing battle in Gaza puts loved ones at risk, but on Saturday called for an end to the war on the territory and a “comprehensive deal” in which the remaining hostages will be released.
“Contrary to the background of the horrifying footage and harsh reports of hostage status, hostage families will be screaming in the heart of Tel Aviv this morning,” a statement from the Israeli hostage families said. “We appeal to the Israeli government and the US administration – we see our loved ones and our eyes.”
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, chief of staff at Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), said on Friday that combat will continue to “no rest” in Gaza without a hostage trade.
“I estimate that in the next few days, we will know if we will be successful in reaching a partial deal for the release of the prisoners.
On Friday, Hamas Armed Building released an undated video showing 24-year-old David, who was held hostage at the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023.
Hostages and Missing Family Forum Headquarters first warned against the use of images from the video, but later said that David’s family approved the publication of the still images.
On Saturday, Hamas released a new video featuring David, who appears to be a longer version of the video released on Friday.
A similar propaganda video was published by Palestinian Islamic Jihad on Thursday. Islamic jihad said it was the last video of hostages before the group lost contact with hugging him in July.
“People talk a lot about what’s going on in Gaza, about hunger. I want to ask everyone who spoke about hunger. Have you seen our ROM? He has not received food, he hasn’t received medicine.
“I’m going to have Witkoff watch this video, and I’m going to make an urgent plea to President Trump. I’m going to take my son home,” the family said.
Earlier this week, the unsupported Food Security Agency warned that “the worst-case scenario of hunger” was unfolding in Gaza.
Gaza’s health ministry said on Saturday that seven people have died of malnutrition in the last 24 hours, including one child, resulting in total casualties of deaths between 169 and 169 when the conflict began in 2023.
Additionally, at least 39 people were killed and more than 800 were injured while awaiting assistance in various parts of the territory.
