Netanyahu Urges Red Cross to Aid Emaciated Gaza Hostages Amid Global Outcry

Tel Aviv/Gaza – August 4, 2025 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urgently appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide food and medical assistance to Israeli hostages in Gaza, following the release of distressing videos showing two captives in severely malnourished condition. Netanyahu spoke directly with ICRC regional coordinator Julien Lerisson on Sunday, requesting the organization’s immediate involvement in delivering humanitarian aid and medical treatment to hostages still held by Hamas. The appeal comes as anger grows across Israel after recent footage showed Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, two hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, appearing extremely weak and thin. One of the videos even showed David digging what he said was his own grave—a scene that has shocked the nation and the world. The ICRC responded, stating it was “appalled by the harrowing videos” and reiterated its call to be granted access to the hostages. However, Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, conditioned any Red Cross access on the opening of humanitarian corridors for aid throughout Gaza. “We do not intentionally starve the hostages, but they will not be given special treatment while Gaza itself is under siege,” the group said in a statement. Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza Gaza remains on the brink of famine, with the UN warning that a full-scale humanitarian disaster is unfolding. Israel has significantly restricted aid entry, and chaos on the ground has led to looting and desperate crowds at distribution sites. On Sunday alone, Israeli fire reportedly killed over 20 people who were waiting for food rations in various parts of Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials and eyewitnesses. “The soldiers opened fire on people. I was there, and no one posed any threat,” said 31-year-old Jabr al-Shaer, speaking by phone from Rafah. Nine people were killed at a U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation site near Rafah, while five others died at a separate aid station in central Gaza. Additional strikes killed at least five more elsewhere, according to civil defence officials. Mounting Pressure on Israeli Government In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, demanding the Netanyahu government secure a deal to bring home the remaining 49 hostages. Among them are 27 who, according to the Israeli military, are presumed dead. Netanyahu said he was “profoundly shocked” by the recent hostage footage and assured the families of ongoing efforts to recover all captives. International Response and Renewed Calls for Ceasefire European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the hostage videos as “appalling” and described them as evidence of Hamas’s “barbarity.” She called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, adding that Hamas must disarm and step down from power in Gaza—echoing statements made recently by Qatar and Egypt. “Large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need,” Kallas stressed on X (formerly Twitter). Violence Continues Amid Diplomatic Stalemate The situation in Gaza remains deadly. As of this week, over 60,430 Palestinians—mostly civilians—have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose figures are deemed reliable by the UN. In contrast, Hamas’s initial attack on Israel in 2023 killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Meanwhile, tensions flared again in east Jerusalem, where Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir conducted a Jewish prayer at the contested Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This move, considered a provocation by many, marks the first time a sitting minister has openly prayed at the site, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Ben Gvir used the moment to call for the annexation of Gaza and the “voluntary emigration” of its population, drawing fierce criticism both domestically and abroad.

NEWS