Outcry grows after new hostage videos emerge from Gaza

Outrage is spreading across Israel and the international community after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released new videos showing two of the estimated 20 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.

(NBC)- Outrage is spreading across Israel and the international community after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released new videos showing two of the estimated 20 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.

The hostages appeared frail and emaciated, with visible bones and signs of severe malnourishment. In at least one of the videos, a handwritten daily meal list showed only rice or lentils—sometimes nothing at all. Both hostages pleaded for their release.

The videos have reignited public anger in Israel, prompting hundreds more protesters to take to the streets demanding a ceasefire agreement and the safe return of the remaining hostages.

Negotiations for a ceasefire broke down nearly two weeks ago. However, U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited Israel, meeting with hostage families and even traveling into Gaza to assess the humanitarian crisis and report back to President Trump. He told families that the U.S. is pushing for an “all-or-nothing” deal to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top officials continue to warn that military operations in Gaza will intensify if a hostage deal is not reached soon.