The military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released video footage on Thursday showing an Israeli captive emaciated and visibly suffering from starvation, as the Israeli occupation continues to block humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip.

Titled “The occupation government has decided to starve them,” the video portrays the deteriorating condition of the Israeli prisoner awaiting a potential exchange deal, juxtaposed with harrowing scenes of Palestinian children in Gaza enduring the same starvation policy. The footage underscores the shared consequences of the occupation’s siege policy, impacting both captives and civilians.

The video includes a past statement from Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, declaring: “What should be sent to Gaza are bombs,” highlighting the punitive mindset behind the occupation’s handling of the humanitarian crisis.

The clip concludes with the message: “They eat what we eat and drink what we drink,” signaling that the fate of Israeli captives is inextricably linked to the suffering of over two million Palestinians trapped under siege in Gaza.

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The occupying government has decided to starve them pic.twitter.com/VzEtlAFCb7

— نصر الدين عامر | Nasruddin Amer (@Nasr_Amer1) August 1, 2025

This message comes amid an ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023. The aggression has been coupled with a total blockade on fuel, food, and medical supplies, plunging the enclave into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

The comprehensive siege has crippled hospitals, collapsed essential services, and hindered rescue and relief operations. International organizations continue to warn of a looming mass famine, with death rates rising rapidly, particularly among children, the elderly, and the sick.

Over 115 dead of hunger