Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks aid from Red Cross following deep disturbance after viewing hostage footage from Gaza
In the embattled territory of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions is unfolding. Over 60,000 Palestinian fatalities have been reported since October 2023, with more than 1,650 deaths of Palestinians killed while seeking food, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza[1][4]. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that famine is spreading rapidly, with many Palestinians going days without food and aid convoys facing considerable dangers and obstructions[2].
The EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and urged Hamas to disarm and end its rule in Gaza. This demand was also endorsed by Arab countries, including key mediators Qatar and Egypt[1]. The ongoing conflict has seen Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad release three videos showing two hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The images of Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, both appearing weak and malnourished, have fueled renewed calls in Israel for a truce and hostage release deal[1].
The UN Security Council has convened emergency sessions to address the crisis and seek solutions to alleviate suffering. The international community is urging Israel to restore full humanitarian access and for the release of hostages amid ongoing conflict[1][4]. UN experts accuse Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, describing its disruption of impartial, experienced UN humanitarian operations as a cause of the worsening crisis and demanding immediate restoration of UN humanitarian access[4].
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that one of its staff members was killed in an Israeli attack on its Khan Yunis headquarters, in southern Gaza[1]. The Israeli military stated it was "not aware of a strike" in the area where the attack occurred[1]. The ICRC is appalled by the harrowing videos and has reiterated its call to be granted access to the hostages. Hamas's armed wing has said it would allow the ICRCR access to the hostages, but only if humanitarian corridors for food and aid are opened in all areas of Gaza[1].
The premier's office in Israel has requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide food and immediate medical treatment to hostages[1]. Tens of thousands of people rallied in Tel Aviv to call on Netanyahu's government to secure the release of the remaining captives[1]. Netanyahu's office stated he had spoken with the families of the two hostages and expressed profound shock over the materials distributed by the terror organizations[1]. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the UN and humanitarian experts urgently calling for Israel to restore full humanitarian access and for the release of hostages amid ongoing conflict. The crisis has sparked emergency diplomatic efforts via the UN Security Council to mitigate the suffering.
References:
[1] BBC News (2023). Gaza crisis: EU calls for immediate release of hostages. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-65648406
[2] Al Jazeera (2023). Gaza: UN warns of looming famine as Israel limits aid. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/21/gaza-un-warns-of-looming-famine-as-israel-limits-aid
[3] Middle East Monitor (2023). Israeli airstrike kills Red Crescent staff member in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231021-israeli-airstrike-kills-red-crescent-staff-member-in-gaza/
[4] Human Rights Watch (2023). Israel: Starvation as a Weapon of War in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/21/israel-starvation-weapon-war-gaza
[5] Reuters (2023). UN Security Council to discuss Gaza crisis, Israeli-Palestinian violence. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-security-council-discuss-gaza-crisis-israeli-palestinian-violence-2023-10-21/
- Global concern is growing over the worsening health conditions in society as a result of the prolonged war-and-conflicts in the territory of Gaza, with the UN Security Council urging politics and world leaders to address the humanitarian crisis and restore full access to food, aid, and medical treatment.
- General news outlets report on the increasing number of crime-and-justice issues related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, such as the seized hostages, their malnourished conditions, and calls for their immediate release, while international organizations like the ICRC push for access to the hostages.
- Despite tense politics between Israel and its Palestinian adversaries, both societies are facing dire consequences, with the EU and Arab countries joining UN officials in demanding an end to violence, the release of hostages, and the reestablishment of humanitarian access for sustenance, medical care, and other critical services.
