Hamas Agrees to Allow Red Cross Aid to Israeli Captives Under Conditions
Hamas, the Islamic militant group, has announced its willingness to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to deliver aid to Israeli captives held in Gaza. The group stipulates, however, that Israel must open humanitarian corridors permanently and halt all aerial activities during the aid delivery process.
Background and Context
The Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, requested aid from the ICRC after shocking video footage of emaciated hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski caused an outcry in Israel and internationally. The videos released by Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad reignited the debate on the need for an agreement to free the hostages held since the 7th October 2023 attack on Israel.
Key Developments
The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, issued a statement indicating their readiness to aid in the delivery of food and medicine to the captives. The group clarified, however, that they are not deliberately starving the prisoners, stating, They eat what our fighters and all our people eat.
The spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, added, To accept this, we stipulate that humanitarian corridors must be opened normally and permanently for the passage of food and medicine to all our people in all areas of the Gaza Strip.
Reactions and Implications
The ICRC responded to the hostage videos with profound shock, calling for access to the hostages. Meanwhile, the Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the international response to the humanitarian crisis, claiming that only 73 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, far short of the minimum 600 trucks per day required. The office accused Israel of deliberately blocking more than 22,000 humanitarian aid trucks currently parked at the Gaza Strip crossing gates.
The escalating crisis has attracted global attention, with President Donald Trump stating on Truth Social, The fastest way to end the humanitarian crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!
Current Status
As the situation intensifies, Israel has announced a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday regarding the hostages' issue. Despite the mounting pressure and ongoing negotiations, Israel and Hamas remain far apart on the terms of any deal. The international community watches with bated breath as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen.