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European leaders have issued strong condemnations following the release of disturbing videos showing two Israeli hostages held in Gaza in visibly emaciated and distressed conditions. The footage has intensified international pressure on both Hamas and Israel to facilitate urgent humanitarian access and secure the release of remaining captives.
🎥 Hostage Footage Sparks Outrage
The videos, released separately by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, feature Rom Braslavski (21) and Evyatar David (24), both abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Braslavski, crying, claimed he had eaten only “three crumbs of falafel,” while David was filmed digging what he described as his own grave. Families of the hostages accused Hamas of deliberate starvation, describing David as “a living skeleton, buried alive.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the footage “profoundly shocking” and reaffirmed that efforts to secure the hostages’ release “will continue constantly and relentlessly.” He also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene and provide food and medical support.
The ICRC responded by calling the videos “stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions” faced by hostages and renewed its appeal for immediate access to assess their health and facilitate contact with families.
🗣️ International Condemnation of Hamas
- UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the videos as “sickening” and reiterated calls for the hostages’ “unconditional” release.
- French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Hamas’ actions as “abject cruelty” and emphasized France’s commitment to securing a ceasefire and humanitarian access.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “appalled” and stressed that hostage release must precede any ceasefire. He also urged Israel to continue humanitarian aid.
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed shock at the “perfidy” of the hostages’ captors.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the footage “appalling” and demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of all hostages.
🚧 Aid Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis
While condemning Hamas, several European leaders also criticized Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The blockade has been widely blamed for worsening famine conditions in the territory:
- Seven European governments, including Ireland, Iceland, and Spain, issued a joint statement in May urging Israel to reverse its aid restrictions and warning of a “man-made humanitarian catastrophe”.
- EU diplomats have acknowledged that Israel is falling short of its commitments under a recent aid agreement, with limited trucks and fuel entering Gaza.
- Humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam and Save the Children, have accused the EU of inaction and called for sanctions against Israel to compel aid access.
Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades denied intentionally starving hostages, claiming they receive the same food as fighters and civilians. The group said it would allow Red Cross access if Israel opens humanitarian corridors and pauses airstrikes during aid deliveries.
📊 Current Status
According to Israeli and international sources:
- 49 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 27 are presumed dead.
- Famine conditions continue to escalate, with over 175 starvation-related deaths, including 93 children, reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
