Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after outrage over videos showing two Gaza hostages in visibly poor health. In a call with ICRC regional coordinator Julien Lerisson, he requested urgent delivery of food and immediate medical treatment for the captives.
The ICRC issued a statement expressing distress over the footage and reiterated its demand to meet the captives. The Al-Qassam Brigades said it would allow ICRC access but denied any deliberate starvation of hostages, adding they would not grant them special food privileges amid the broader siege of Gaza.
In recent days, Hamas and Islamic Jihad released three videos showing captives Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David—both seized during the October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war. The images of their weakened, malnourished conditions have intensified public pressure in Israel for a truce and a hostage release deal.
Earlier that day, tens of thousands rallied in the coastal hub of Tel Aviv, calling on Netanyahu’s government to secure the release of the remaining captives.
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Netanyahu asks ICRC for help after shock of Gaza hostage video
cgtn.com
