On The Weekly Show, Jon Stewart was visibly shaken as Palestinian poet and Pulitzer Prize winner Mosab Abu Toha delivered a harrowing account of what his family is enduring in Gaza amid Israel’s war with Hamas.

Firsthand Accounts of Horror

Speaking directly to Stewart, Abu Toha described speaking to his parents, uncle, and other relatives who remain trapped in Gaza. His uncle Ibrahim, a university graduate in English and French literature, called him from the Zikim aid crossing and painted a devastating picture.

“He described to me what is an apocalyptic scene,” Abu Toha said, detailing how civilians with severe injuries had no access to proper medical care. “One man was shot in the arm and was carrying his arm with his other hand. Another old man, shot in the abdomen, took off his shirt to try and stop the bleeding.”

Starvation and Rapid Weight Loss

Abu Toha also revealed that some of his family members are literally starving. One female relative has lost nearly half her body weight since the conflict began—dropping from 70 kilograms to just 40. “They are starving,” he said plainly.

Stewart Pushes Back on Aid Narrative

Responding to claims from Israeli officials that Hamas is stealing aid intended for civilians, Abu Toha denied the allegations. Stewart countered that even if aid diversion occurred, it was irrelevant to the moral obligation of delivering food and resources to the innocent.

“Even if they were stealing some of the aid… it’s a moral imperative to get food in there,” Stewart argued, also questioning why there isn’t greater international oversight to ensure aid reaches those in need.

A Chilling Reminder

The interview left Stewart visibly moved, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing conflict. For viewers, Abu Toha’s testimony served as a grim, firsthand reminder of the civilian suffering that too often gets lost in political debate.