August 4, 2025 | 06:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The request was directly conveyed by Netanyahu to the ICRC's regional head, Julien Lerisson, on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
According to NDTV report, Netanyahu asked the Red Cross to immediately provide food and medical care to the hostages. He emphasized the importance of ICRC's involvement after videos of the emaciated and sick hostages emerged.
The ICRC responded by stating that they were "appalled by the harrowing videos" and reiterated their call to be given access to the hostages.
Hamas Releases Hostage Video
In the past two days, Hamas has released two videos of Evyatar David, one of the Israeli hostages. In the videos, David appeared skeletally thin and was seen digging a hole, which he claimed was a grave for himself.
According to a CNA report, out of about 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, only 20 are believed to be alive. David's video has sparked international condemnation.
The head of the EU foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, said the images "are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas," while calling for the unconditional release of all hostages.
Hamas' Conditions
Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that they did not intentionally starve the hostages. However, they did not provide special treatment to the hostages amidst the famine and blockade that was imposed on Gaza.
Hamas said they were willing to cooperate with the Red Cross, as long as Israel opens humanitarian corridors throughout Gaza and stops air strikes while aid is being delivered.
Worsening Famine in Gaza
On the other hand, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face severe famine. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health report, six people have died of starvation in the past 24 hours. The total death toll due to famine since the Israeli genocide escalated has reached 175, including 93 children.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened after Israeli forces reportedly fired at aid seekers queueing at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites near Rafah last Sunday.
According to Gaza's civil defense spokesperson, Mahmud Bassal, five others were also killed at the aid site in central Gaza, and five more died in separate attacks.
A total of 251 people were taken hostage in Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and most of them have been released through two brief ceasefires, some exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. According to the Israeli military, out of the 49 hostages still held, 27 are confirmed deceased.
Hamas' attack in October 2023 reportedly killed 1,219 people in Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel's genocide in Gaza has reportedly killed at least 60,430 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health data.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a special session on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, to discuss the fate of the hostages in Gaza.
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