Gaza Crisis Deepens as Hostage Video Shocks the World
GAZA – Hamas says it will only work with the Red Cross to help hostages if Israel stops airstrikes and keeps humanitarian corridors open for aid.
Israeli officials believe about 50 hostages remain in Gaza. Only 20 are thought to be alive. Hamas has not allowed any humanitarian group to see them. Families are desperate for information.
On Saturday, Hamas released another video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. He appeared very thin and was seen digging a grave, which he said was for himself. The video shocked many around the world. The U.S., UK, France, and Germany condemned it. Israel said the UN Security Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he asked the Red Cross to help the hostages.
A group called the Hostages Families Forum said Hamas has kept people in terrible conditions for over 660 days and must release them immediately. “Hamas kidnapped them and must take care of them,” the group said.
At the same time, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is getting worse. Gaza’s health ministry said six more people died of hunger or malnutrition in the last 24 hours. That brings the total to 175, including 93 children.
Israel has allowed some fuel into Gaza to help with the crisis. On Sunday, four UN fuel tankers entered to support hospitals, bakeries, and public kitchens. Egypt also planned to send two trucks with diesel fuel, but it was unclear if they entered.
Gaza hospitals are struggling. Fuel shortages have forced doctors to treat only the most critical patients.
Israel says it is increasing aid to Gaza to reduce international pressure. In the last week, more than 1,200 aid trucks entered Gaza, carrying over 23,000 tons of supplies. But many aid trucks have not yet reached people because of distribution problems.
Some aid trucks were looted by desperate people and armed groups, Gaza officials say. The Belgian air force joined Jordan to drop aid packages from planes. France also started air-dropping 40 tons of aid.
Despite all this, the war continues. Palestinian health officials say at least 80 people died from Israeli attacks on Sunday. Some were killed while trying to reach aid centers.
One of the victims was a worker for the Palestinian Red Crescent. Their office in Khan Younis was hit by an Israeli strike, causing a fire.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have killed over 60,000 people, according to Gaza health officials.
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