Hamas announced Sunday it would coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to Israeli hostages in Gaza if Israel meets two key demands: Permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during aid distribution.
The militant group’s statement followed global outrage over a video showing emaciated Israeli captive Evyatar David, 28, digging what he described as his own grave. Western powers including France, Germany, the UK and US condemned the footage, prompting a UN Security Council emergency session scheduled for Tuesday.
Israeli officials estimate only 20 of the remaining 50 hostages are alive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed requesting Red Cross intervention during talks with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Gaza’s health ministry reported six new starvation-related deaths in 24 hours, raising the famine death toll to 175, including 93 children. While Israel permitted limited fuel shipments Sunday (four UN tankers and two Egyptian trucks carrying 107 tonnes of diesel), UN agencies warn airdrops remain inadequate for 2.2 million displaced Gazans.
The Hostages Families Forum accused Hamas of holding captives in “impossible conditions for over 660 days,” demanding immediate release. “Every hostage death is on Hamas’s hands,” their statement read.
Despite Israel allowing 1,200 aid trucks last week, Hamas authorities report rampant looting by desperate civilians and armed groups. Belgium joined Jordan in airdropping aid Sunday, following France’s 40-ton delivery Friday.
Fresh violence killed 80 Gazans Sunday, including a Palestinian Red Crescent worker in an Israeli strike on their Khan Younis headquarters.
