**Red Cross Calls for Release of Remaining Hostages as Hunger Crisis Deepens in Gaza**
The Red Cross has urged the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, amid growing international outrage over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, condemned the use of hostages for propaganda purposes, saying that they must be freed “unconditionally”. His comments follow the release of two disturbing videos showing hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, who were taken captive at a music festival in 2023 during a Hamas attack on southern Israel.
The videos, released by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas respectively, show the hostages looking emaciated and weeping. Braslavski, 21, claims to have run out of water and food, while David, 24, says he hasn’t eaten in days. The International Committee of the Red Cross described the images as “appalling” and reiterated its call for access to the hostages to assess their condition and provide medical support.
**Israel Accused of Starving Hostages**
Hamas’s military wing denied that it deliberately starves prisoners, claiming that hostages eat the same food as fighters and other people in Gaza. However, Israeli leaders accuse Hamas of starving hostages as part of a broader strategy to use them for propaganda purposes.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, expressed “profound shock” at the videos and assured the families of the hostages that efforts to return them would continue “constantly and relentlessly”. He also called on the Red Cross to provide immediate medical care and food to the hostages.
**International Pressure Mounts**
The international community is increasingly critical of Israel’s handling of the crisis. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his “appallment” at the images, while French President Emmanuel Macron described Hamas’s actions as “abject cruelties”. Both leaders called for the release of all hostages as a prerequisite for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, UN-backed agencies claim that the “worst case scenario of famine” is currently playing out. Malnutrition deaths are reported every day, with 175 people, including 93 children, dying since the beginning of the war due to malnutrition.
**Isolation Grows**
Israel’s handling of the crisis has led to increased international isolation, with polls indicating growing public opinion against Israel in many countries. The Israeli government faces mounting pressure from its allies to take action and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the release of all remaining hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza are imperative for preventing further suffering and addressing the growing humanitarian crisis.
