Netanyahu Urges Red Cross and Global Community to Aid Hostages and Condemn Hamas

The Big Picture

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a direct appeal to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday, urging immediate humanitarian intervention to assist Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The statement came amid ongoing concerns over the treatment of those abducted during the Hamas-led October 7 attacks and follows recent disturbing footage released by Hamas showing several hostages in dire conditions.

What’s New

In a post on X, Netanyahu stated that he spoke with Julian Larson, head of the Red Cross delegation in the region, and called for immediate delivery of food and medical aid to the hostages. He denounced what he described as “systematic starvation” and “cruel abuse” being inflicted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, equating the situation to atrocities reminiscent of Nazi crimes.

He also emphasized that the actions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad are in direct violation of international law and the Geneva Convention. Netanyahu urged global governments to denounce these terrorist groups and halt all direct or indirect support for them.

What They’re Saying

Earlier, Netanyahu also expressed deep shock after speaking with the families of two hostages, Rom Breslevsky and Evyatar David, referencing videos Hamas had released of the captives. His statement on X reflected emotional pain and condemnation of Hamas’ tactics.

He added that Hamas is also withholding humanitarian aid from Gazan civilians and manipulating global narratives through what he called a “false propaganda campaign against Israel.”

COGAT Updates on Aid Flow

Meanwhile, Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) published updated figures showing a significant flow of aid into Gaza. According to their recent post, over 23,000 tons of humanitarian supplies have entered the territory in the past week via 1,200 trucks. Of those, 1,200 were successfully collected by the UN and other aid agencies.

However, COGAT noted that hundreds of additional aid trucks remain inside Gaza, still awaiting pickup and distribution. International partners have also conducted airdrops of humanitarian pallets to meet the urgent needs of civilians on the ground.

Over the past week, over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid, 1,200 trucks, entered Gaza and 1,200 trucks were successfully collected by the UN and international organizations.

Despite this progress, hundreds of trucks remain inside Gaza, waiting to be picked up and distributed by… pic.twitter.com/i8LNgdJUuT

— COGAT (@cogatonline) August 3, 2025

What’s Next

The Israeli government is expected to continue pressing the international community to act more assertively against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both in terms of diplomatic pressure and operational coordination. Calls for increased Red Cross visibility and enforcement of international humanitarian law are also growing, especially as new videos and hostage conditions are made public.

The Bottom Line

While humanitarian aid continues to flow into Gaza under international supervision, the fate of Israeli hostages remains a critical flashpoint in Israel’s diplomatic and military discourse. Netanyahu’s statements signal an urgent call for global moral accountability and stricter humanitarian enforcement to protect those still in captivity.

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