‘Hell on earth’: Netanyahu, Fetterman respond to horrific Hamas video showing starving hostage digging own grave
Hamas released on Friday a horrifying propaganda video depicting a starving Israeli hostage digging his own grave. The images have sparking outrage around the world.
In the five-minute video, the emaciated Evyatar David is seen inside a narrow, claustrophobic tunnel, digging his own grave while crossing off the days on a calendar. “I haven’t eaten for a few days in a row,” David says.
Israeli hostage is starved by Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/Y0H815uLKI
— Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) August 3, 2025
As he keeps digging, a man behind the camera hands him a can of beans. “This can is for two days,” David states. “This whole can is for two days, so that I don’t die.”
“This is the grave I think I’m going to be buried in. Time is running out,” David cries.
David’s family released a statement to the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
“We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza—a living skeleton, buried alive,” the family said. “The deliberate starvation of our son as part of a propaganda campaign is one of the most horrifying acts the world has seen.”
David’s family approved of the video’s release.
Leaders condemned Hamas’ cruelty as the footage circulated around the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the video with a statement released Saturday on X. “The cruelty of Hamas knows no bounds. While the State of Israel allows the entry of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, Hamas terrorists deliberately starve our hostages, documenting them in a cynical, humiliating, and malicious manner.”
“They also deliberately starve the residents of the Strip,” Netanyahu added. “They prevent aid from reaching them and then lie to the world and conduct a false propaganda campaign against Israel. I call on all the countries of the world—stand against this Nazi-like abuse. Do not stand by. This is a moral test.”
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., also released a statement on X in support of David and his family.
“I had the honor to meet with his family in my office. I cannot even begin to imagine the horror of this video for them,” Fetterman stated. “I continue to stand with these families and every last hostage. Hamas: send these poor souls home, disarm, and end this hell on earth in Gaza.”
“Iran-backed Hamas terrorists have held innocent people hostage, starving them for 666 days,” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fl., said on Saturday in response to the footage. “Just look at these photos. It’s gut-wrenching. Every day that goes by is a risk to their lives. We cannot stop until every hostage is home and Hamas is destroyed.”