Netanyahu demands Red Cross aid for Israeli hostages in Gaza

In recent developments regarding the hostage situation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to the Red Cross for assistance in delivering food and medical care to hostages. This request was made public on Sunday, August 3, 2025, after Mr. Netanyahu communicated with Julien Lerisson, the organization's regional head. There are reports indicating that 49 individuals are still held captive within Gaza, with 27 of these hostages believed to be already deceased. Mr. Netanyahu took to social media to emphasize the urgent need for aid, portraying conditions as dire for those in captivity. Amidst these claims, the Israeli Prime Minister has also denied assertions that the Palestinian population is experiencing starvation. He stated that the narrative of starvation propagated by Hamas is a fallacy and insisted that the primary focus should be on the severe conditions faced by the hostages. This assertion is countered by alarming reports from Palestinian health authorities indicating a rise in malnutrition-related deaths in the region, as well as numerous humanitarian organizations highlighting the escalating crisis. Over the weekend, the situation intensified when Hamas released two videos featuring Evyatar David, one of the hostages captured during the violent events on October 7, 2023. The videos showed David in a distressed state, claiming that he had been deprived of food and water, stating, "I haven't eaten for days... I barely got drinking water." His family publicly expressed their anguish, urging the Israeli government and international community to intervene in efforts to secure Evyatar's release and alleviate his suffering. Netanyahu's statements have evoked strong reactions globally, particularly regarding the claims of systematic starvation of the hostages contrasted against the backdrop of humanitarian challenges within Gaza. As international scrutiny increases, the Israeli Prime Minister has called for worldwide condemnation of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. He emphasized that the actions of these groups are in direct violation of international laws and the Geneva Convention, and he seeks immediate global cooperation in addressing both the hostage situation and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.