• Recent videos of malnourished Israeli hostages have horrified the public and intensified demands for a ceasefire.
• The Israeli government faces increasing pressure to address humanitarian conditions in Gaza amid ongoing military operations.
• International leaders have condemned the hostage videos as acts of propaganda and called on Hamas to release all captives.
• The crisis has shed light on severe food shortages and malnutrition affecting both hostages and Palestinian civilians.
• Israel's aid restrictions have been criticized amid warnings of famine and escalating deaths from starvation in Gaza.

The release of alarming videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages, including Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, has provoked immense outrage within Israel, with many citizens demanding action to secure their release. In one video, a visibly weakened David is seen digging what he claims is his own grave, pleading for aid, while Braslavski emerges visibly distressed, struggling with starvation, according to reports from Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

These heart-wrenching clips have galvanized protests across Israel, pushing tens of thousands to demand a ceasefire and substantial humanitarian aid. Protesters have voiced fears over the hostages' health, as reports suggest they may only have days left to live. The humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated sharply, with the health ministry indicating that at least 175 people, including children, have died from malnutrition since the onset of the conflict, as reported by sources like ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his “profound shock” upon reviewing the footage and has called for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist in supplying food and medical care to hostages. The ICRC has expressed concern over the hostages’ dire conditions and reiterated its demand for access, according to BBC and NPR.

In response to the international uproar, Hamas has stated they are willing to work with the Red Cross to facilitate aid delivery for hostages, provided that Israel opens humanitarian corridors in Gaza and halts all airstrikes during these operations, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

As Israeli forces continue their military operations, including combating calls for ceasefires amid the hostage and humanitarian crises, Western leaders have condemned the hostage videos as propaganda. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as "sickening," urging unconditional release of all hostages while pressing for Israeli accountability in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, as noted in statements from TRT World and Channel News Asia.