Hamas at the weekend published videos showing two Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, gaunt and still in captivity inside Gaza tunnels. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “deeply shocked” by the footage and met the hostages’ families, telling them he would place their plight at the centre of Israel’s agenda. The release of the videos coincided with the collapse of indirect cease-fire negotiations. Netanyahu said he will convene his security cabinet this week to decide Israel’s next steps and give the army fresh orders. Israeli broadcasters Channel 12 and Kan, along with the Jerusalem Post, reported that the prime minister now leans toward authorising a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip—something Israel has avoided since withdrawing troops and settlers in 2005. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would “professionally implement” whatever policy the government adopts, reiterating that Israel’s goals remain the defeat of Hamas, the release of all remaining hostages and ensuring Gaza can no longer threaten Israel. Senior officers have previously voiced misgivings about re-occupying the enclave, and the prospect faces international pressure for a cease-fire. At Israel’s request the UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency session on Tuesday to discuss the hostage crisis. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The territory’s health ministry puts the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war at more than 61,000 and says at least 188 people, nearly half of them children, have died from hunger. Aid groups warn of imminent famine, and local officials said ten Palestinians were shot dead while seeking aid on Monday, when five more died of starvation. Israel says it is expanding aid deliveries but blames Hamas for the shortages.