Hamas and Israel Discuss Hostage Aid Conditions

On Sunday, Hamas claimed that Israel might collaborate with the Red Cross to assist hostages in Gaza, contingent upon specific conditions being met.

According to Hamas, this partnership would require Israel to open a permanent humanitarian corridor and cease airstrikes while aid is being distributed.

Israeli officials reported that 50 hostages are in Gaza, with only around 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Hamas has restricted access for humanitarian organizations, leaving families with very little information.

Recently, Hamas released a second video featuring Israeli Eviyatar David. In the footage, he appears emaciated and is shown digging holes, which he claims are for his own burial. The arm holding the camera appears normal.

This video sparked criticism from Western leaders and alarmed the Israeli public.

Countries including France, Germany, the UK, and the US voiced their concerns, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced a special session of the UN Security Council to address the hostage situation in Gaza, scheduled for Tuesday morning.

During a conversation with the Swiss embassy’s ICRC representative, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested humanitarian aid for the hostages.

The Hostage Family Forum, which advocates for relatives of the captives, stated that Hamas’ actions cannot disguise the reality of holding innocent individuals under dire conditions for over 660 days, demanding their immediate release.

They asserted that until the hostages are freed, Hamas must take responsibility for their care and provide for their needs.

Over the past 24 hours, six more individuals reportedly died from starvation or malnutrition. The health ministry criticized Israel for exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after nearly two years of conflict.

This loss added to the toll reported by the International Humanitarian Organization.

Alcahera News, affiliated with Egypt, mentioned that two trucks carrying 107 tonnes of diesel were prepared to enter Gaza following increased suffering from hunger, after Israel had severely limited aid access.

Later, Cogat, an Israeli military agency, stated that four UN fuel tankers successfully made it into Gaza to support hospitals, bakeries, and public kitchens. However, it remains unconfirmed if the diesel trucks from Egypt entered Gaza.

The health ministry in Gaza warned that the fuel shortage severely impacts hospital operations, forcing doctors to focus solely on the critically ill.

Since March, fuel shipments have been scarce after Israel restricted aid flow, pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages after the October 2023 attacks.

Israel deflects blame onto Hamas for the suffering in Gaza, yet in response to rising international pressure, it recently announced new measures to allow more aid to reach the population.

The UN has stated that airdrops are inadequate and that Israel needs to provide much more comprehensive assistance on land to stave off starvation for the 2.2 million residents.

Cogat indicated that over 23,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid have entered Gaza via 1,200 trucks in the past week, yet hundreds of trucks remain unprocessed at distribution hubs identified by the UN and other organizations.

On Sunday, the Belgian Air Force commenced a series of aid drops in collaboration with Jordan, while France began airdropping 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies on Friday.

Looted Aid Trucks

The Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office reported that nearly 1,600 aid trucks have arrived since Israel relaxed restrictions in late July. However, eyewitnesses and Hamas sources noted many trucks were being looted by desperate individuals and armed gangs.

Before Israel escalated hostilities in March, 700 trucks of fuel had entered Gaza in January and February amid ongoing conflict regarding aid conditions.

Local health officials stated that at least 80 people died from Israeli shootings and airstrikes on Sunday, including some who were assisting at distribution points in southern and central Gaza. Among the victims were staff from the Palestinian Red Crescent Association, which reported a fire triggered by an Israeli strike at their headquarters.

The Gaza War erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted a cross-border attack in southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.