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The militant group Hamas announced on Sunday that it is willing to permit the Red Cross to deliver food and medical supplies to the Israeli hostages it holds, but under specific conditions, following international outrage over a video showing a malnourished captive.
A representative from the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military branch of Hamas, stated on Telegram that they would respond positively to a request from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
However, he insisted that Israel must, in return, facilitate ongoing and complete aid supplies to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Hamas demanded that Israel halt aerial surveillance while aid is being delivered to the hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that he communicated with Julien Lerisson, the ICRC’s regional head, urging him to ensure that the Red Cross urgently provides food and medicine to the Israeli hostages.
Hamas is currently holding 20 surviving hostages taken during the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and keeping them in tunnels under dire conditions in Gaza. Recently, the group released videos showing two hostages suffering from severe malnutrition, reduced physical condition, and emotional distress.
These images have deeply shocked the Israeli public and garnered significant concern globally, with leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron expressing their distress.
In Israel, there are suspicions that Hamas is intentionally pushing the hostages toward starvation to pressure the Netanyahu government.
