Why it matters:
Israel has long imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, preventing adequate food and humanitarian aid from entering the area. Many children have died from malnutrition as a result of Israel’s policies.
The Bigger Picture
The policy of mass starvation in Gaza has also affected the Israeli prisoners held there.
The release of the film featuring an Israeli prisoner, Evyatar David, clearly shows that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to crush resistance in the region by starving the residents of Gaza.
What they're saying:
"I haven't eaten for days, and I don't know what to eat," Evyatar David says.
"My physical condition is very bad, and I feel abandoned. What I'm doing now is digging my own grave and getting closer to death every day."
The captive's family has called for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the people of Gaza, including Evyatar, and has called on the Israeli government, U.S. President Donald Trump, and the international community to work for his release.
The leader of the Israeli opposition has also stressed the need for immediate action, calling on the world to join in calling for the release of all captives.
State of play:
According to the latest polls, a large majority of Israelis want an end to the captive crisis and the return of all of them. However, Israeli society is grappling with Netanyahu's "political future." The end of the war in Gaza would likely mean the end of Netanyahu's political life, which is why Netanyahu and his hardline cabinet are not willing to end the war.
Go deeper:
Families of Israeli Captives Express Alarm Over IOF Operations in Gaza
Hossein Amiri - seyed mohammad kazemi
