Hamas announced on Sunday that it may allow humanitarian aid to reach hostages in Gaza, but only if Israel meets specific conditions. This statement comes after global outrage following a video showing a visibly starving Israeli hostage.
According to Hamas, the group is ready to coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, this depends on Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and pausing airstrikes during aid distribution.
The announcement follows the release of a second video featuring hostage Evyatar David. In the footage, David, extremely thin, is seen digging what he claims is his own grave. The video sparked anger from the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, who condemned the treatment of hostages. Israel also called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to address the crisis.
Currently, Israeli authorities believe that 50 hostages remain in Gaza. Only 20 of them are thought to be alive. Families of the captives have received little information about their loved ones’ conditions. Until now, Hamas has denied any access to the hostages by humanitarian groups.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Red Cross to provide medical and food aid to the hostages. The Hostages Families Forum stressed that Hamas must be held responsible for the well-being of those it captured.
The statement added, “Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas’s hands.”
At the same time, Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian disaster. Six more people reportedly died from hunger in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths to 175, including 93 children.
Despite some easing of restrictions, aid remains limited. The Israeli agency COGAT said over 23,000 tons of aid entered Gaza last week, but much of it has not yet reached distribution centers. U.N. officials argue that air drops are not enough and that land access is vital.
Meanwhile, chaos and desperation continue. Many aid trucks have been looted, and some civilians have been killed while trying to collect supplies.
For more on Hamas’ reaction to the recent ceasefire talks, read the full update here.
