Netanyahu says he spoke to families of Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, ‘expressed deep shock’ over their condition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held “extended conversations” with the families of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski this evening, the Prime Minister’s Office says in a statement.

Netanyahu “expressed deep shock” at the harrowing videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad of the two hostages in recent days, and he “told the families that efforts to bring all our hostages home are ongoing and will continue without pause or rest.”

Addressing the video released by Hamas in which David appeared extremely emaciated in relation to allegations of widespread starvation in Gaza, Netanyahu says, “Hamas’s cruelty knows no bounds. While Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza for its residents, Hamas terrorists are deliberately starving our hostages and filming them in a cynical and malicious manner.”

“Hamas terrorists are also intentionally starving the residents of Gaza and preventing them from receiving aid — all while amplifying a false propaganda campaign against Israel,” the premier adds.

Netanyahu urges “the nations of the world” to condemn the “criminal, Nazi-like abuse by the Hamas terror organization.”