**World leaders and humanitarian organizations are denouncing the shocking treatment of hostages amid escalating tensions in Gaza, stressing the need for urgent action.**
**International Condemnation Grows Over Emaciated Hostages Amid Gaza Crisis**
**International Condemnation Grows Over Emaciated Hostages Amid Gaza Crisis**
**Red Cross Urges Immediate Access to Hostages; Protests Erupt in Tel Aviv**
In the wake of distressing videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages circulated by their captors in Gaza, international leaders and humanitarian organizations are raising alarms about the severe conditions these individuals are enduring. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his dismay over the propaganda use of these images, calling for their "unconditional" release. Video footage released recently by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas depicts hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David in a critical state, stirring outrage from foreign governments and human rights advocates alike.
The alarming videos prompted a strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, who have accused Hamas of deliberately starving the hostages. In response, Hamas's military faction denied these allegations, claiming that the captives are provided food akin to what the fighters consume, despite the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza. Both Braslavski, 21, and David, 24, were among the 49 hostages still held in Gaza from the initial 251 taken during the violent attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to the families of the hostages, expressing his "profound shock" after viewing the footage and pledging to relentlessly pursue efforts for their release. He has also contacted the Red Cross to facilitate the delivery of food and medical supplies to the captives. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the situation as "appalling," stating that it underscores the life-threatening conditions hostages are currently facing. The Red Cross is calling for permission to access the hostages to provide necessary medical care and facilitate family contact.
Amid rising protests in Tel Aviv, families of the hostages joined forces with demonstrators, pressing the Israeli government for immediate action to secure their loved ones' release. The families voiced their anguish over the videos, with Braslavski’s family expressing that he has been "forgotten." Demonstrators held placards demanding that everyone be freed from what they described as "hell."
Global leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have condemned the acts of inhumanity. Macron emphasized the need for a ceasefire contingent on the hostages' release and underscored the importance of establishing a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Meanwhile, reports of malnutrition-related deaths continue to surface, with UN agencies warning of a dire humanitarian crisis looming in Gaza as conflict endures.
Despite calls for access and aid, Israeli authorities vehemently deny claims of starvation in Gaza, attributing the situation to Hamas's actions. Meanwhile, growing international condemnation paired with calls for accountability reflect a troubling trend of increased scrutiny over Israel's handling of the conflict and its treatment of Gaza's civilians.
The alarming videos prompted a strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, who have accused Hamas of deliberately starving the hostages. In response, Hamas's military faction denied these allegations, claiming that the captives are provided food akin to what the fighters consume, despite the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza. Both Braslavski, 21, and David, 24, were among the 49 hostages still held in Gaza from the initial 251 taken during the violent attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to the families of the hostages, expressing his "profound shock" after viewing the footage and pledging to relentlessly pursue efforts for their release. He has also contacted the Red Cross to facilitate the delivery of food and medical supplies to the captives. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the situation as "appalling," stating that it underscores the life-threatening conditions hostages are currently facing. The Red Cross is calling for permission to access the hostages to provide necessary medical care and facilitate family contact.
Amid rising protests in Tel Aviv, families of the hostages joined forces with demonstrators, pressing the Israeli government for immediate action to secure their loved ones' release. The families voiced their anguish over the videos, with Braslavski’s family expressing that he has been "forgotten." Demonstrators held placards demanding that everyone be freed from what they described as "hell."
Global leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have condemned the acts of inhumanity. Macron emphasized the need for a ceasefire contingent on the hostages' release and underscored the importance of establishing a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Meanwhile, reports of malnutrition-related deaths continue to surface, with UN agencies warning of a dire humanitarian crisis looming in Gaza as conflict endures.
Despite calls for access and aid, Israeli authorities vehemently deny claims of starvation in Gaza, attributing the situation to Hamas's actions. Meanwhile, growing international condemnation paired with calls for accountability reflect a troubling trend of increased scrutiny over Israel's handling of the conflict and its treatment of Gaza's civilians.
