Brother Of Hostage In Hamas Captivity Says It's A "Miracle" He Isn't More Seriously Ill
3 min read
The brother of a hostage who was abducted by Hamas on 7 October 2023 has told PoliticsHome it is a "miracle" that he has not suffered from a more serious illness as his time in captivity approaches 18 months.
Ilay David, whose brother Evyatar David was taken by the terrorist group while he was at the Nova Music Festival, said he remained hopeful that his brother would be released in an interview with PoliticsHome in Tel Aviv.
There are 59 hostages still in Gaza following the terrorist attack in late 2023. The Israeli government believes 24 hostages are still alive, including Evyatar.
Around 1,200 people were killed in that Hamas attack around a year and a half ago.
Nearly 49,000 people have died as a result of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza triggered by the attack, according to the Hamas health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
"It's a miracle he doesn't have an infection yet," his brother Ilay said.
"He had a period of rough allergies, and also because they don't move a lot [in captivity]... he had inflammations on his leg.
"We know that their mental state is very bad, which worries me the most. That they will lose hope and try and kill themselves, or something like that.
"We also know they are starved. They eat 300 calories a day. When there were good days — when the terrorists brought more food — there was a discussion if they should eat more, as they know the hunger will be greater the day after.
"They have no idea what happens outside. They are completely disconnected."
He added: "They have abusive captives, they come inside randomly to beat them up and throw the food and water inside."
Israel resumed bombing Gaza on Tuesday morning, citing Hamas' refusal to release the remaining hostages, seemingly bringing to an end the ceasefire agreed in January.
The deal saw both sides agree to the release of Israeli hostages taken during the 7 October attacks by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
The terrorist group's infrastructure and military commanders were targeted and hit by the Israel Defence Forces. The Hamas health ministry said 404 were killed.
Israeli drones and the sound of missiles could be heard within 1km of the Gaza border. Israeli police and security told journalists within this distance to leave because of fears of missile strikes.
Kibbutzim close to the border, which were attacked in October 2023, closed for visitors, while schools were shut as the security risk heightened.
Ilay told PoliticsHome he was uncertain about whether further strikes would work to bring his brother home.
He is hopeful, however, that Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, was extremely focused on releasing the remaining hostages.
"He is a very good man," David said.
"He's a very proud Jew and he feels I think right now like me in the mission of his life to save the hostages and to bring peace to Israel and the region.
"But he understands that the first step is saving the hostages first," he added.
Demonstrations in Israel during PoliticsHome's visit demanded the release of the hostages, an end to the war and general dissatisfaction with the coalition headed by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the same time, a smaller protest remained in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, as hostage families and those who had been released spoke on stage with a plea to bring those in captivity home.
"We are with you, you are not alone," dozens of people chanted.
An Israeli official said: "Israel remains committed to achieving all the goals of the war — including bringing home all the 59 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, dismantling Hamas's government and military infrastructure and making sure there is no more terror threat emanating from Gaza."
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