Hamas has announced that it will coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to its hostages in Gaza if Israel meets certain conditions, including halting airstrikes and opening permanent humanitarian corridors. The announcement comes after a video released by Hamas showing an emaciated captive drew criticism from Western powers.
According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. Hamas has barred humanitarian organizations from accessing the hostages, leaving families with limited information about their conditions.
The recent release of a second video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who appears to be suffering from severe malnutrition, has sparked international outrage and calls for Israel’s release of the hostages. The United States, France, Germany, and other countries have condemned Hamas’ actions and demanded the immediate release of the hostages.
Israel claims that Hamas is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread starvation and malnutrition. However, the Israeli government has taken steps to allow more aid into the territory, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas and approving air drops.
The United Nations has called for Israel to let in far more aid by land and to open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people. Meanwhile, Belgium’s air force dropped aid packages into Gaza on Sunday, and France began air-dropping humanitarian aid on Friday.
As tensions continue to escalate, Hamas’ offer to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to its hostages is seen as a potential breakthrough in the crisis. However, critics argue that Hamas has been holding innocent people in “impossible conditions” for over 660 days and must provide them with basic necessities until their release.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-says-it-will-allow-aid-hostages-if-israel-halts-airstrikes-opens-permanent-2025-08-03