What I’m doing now is digging my own grave,” says Evyatar David, as his fragile figure, weak with hunger, scrapes at the dirt with a shovel in a cramped Gaza tunnel.

The videos released late last week by militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad show two skeletal hostages pleading for their lives.

Images of emaciated hostages in Gaza on the brink of starvation have prompted international outcry. It comes after weeks of terrible images of malnourished children in the region dying.

Negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza appear to be at an impasse, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaning towards expanded military operations and Hamas demanding the humanitarian situation be addressed before it returns to talks.

Just days after the U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Israel and met with hostages' families, the Israeli government considers a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, including areas where hostages are held.

But Israeli officials have also floated ideas including expanding the military offensive in Gaza and annexing parts of the shattered enclave. The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to clinch agreements on a U.