Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he has requested the International Red Cross to provide food and medical services to the hostages detained in Gaza and accused Hamas of refusing to reach a ceasefire agreement. Hamas, on the other hand, stated that it is prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross on the hostage issue but demands that Israel meet certain conditions.
Netanyahu’s office stated on Sunday that the Prime Minister had a phone call with Julien Lerisson, the head of the International Red Cross delegation responsible for Israel, asking them to “immediately participate in providing food and medical care for the hostages.”
On Saturday, Hamas released a second video within two days showing the condition of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In the video, David appeared extremely emaciated and weak, digging a hole and saying it is for his own grave.
David’s video drew criticism from Western countries and shocked Israel. Countries such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States expressed anger over the situation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the United Nations Security Council will hold a special meeting on the Gaza hostage situation on Tuesday morning.
According to Israeli officials, there are still 50 hostages in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. So far, Hamas has prevented humanitarian organizations from contacting these hostages, and their families have little to no information about their condition.
Hamas stated on Sunday that if Israel meets certain conditions, the organization is prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to provide assistance to the hostages detained in Gaza.
However, the Palestinian extremist organization mentioned that any coordination with the Red Cross would be conditional on Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid.
Netanyahu had previously accused Hamas of not wanting to reach a ceasefire agreement. On Sunday, he cited the latest hostage video as evidence of the organization’s lack of sincerity in negotiations.
He said, “When I saw this, I fully understand what Hamas wants. They do not want an agreement. They want to use these terrible videos, along with their false propaganda spread worldwide, to weaken us.”