The European Union on Sunday called the images of Israeli hostages released this week by Palestinian militias “appalling and expose the barbarity” of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
“All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Hamas must disarm and end its governance of Gaza. At the same time, large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad released videos of two pale and emaciated hostages. One of them appeared skeletal due to lack of food and digging his “own grave” in his place of captivity. According to the captors, the scene was intended to demonstrate that the famine caused by the Israeli blockade has made it impossible for them to provide adequate care.
The day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the images and asserted that his cabinet has nothing to do with the situation because “it is allowing the entry of humanitarian aid” and that it is Hamas, with “unbounded cruelty,” that is “deliberately depriving people of food.”
The offensive against Gaza, launched in response to the attacks of October 7, 2023—which left some 1,200 dead and nearly 250 kidnapped, according to the Israeli government—has left more than 60,400 Palestinians dead to date, including nearly 170 from hunger and malnutrition.
