CAIRO. Hamas announced on Sunday that it is willing to coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide aid to Israeli hostages in Gaza, provided that Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and halts airstrikes during aid distribution.
The announcement followed the release of a disturbing video by Hamas showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David visibly emaciated, digging what he claimed was his own grave. The footage triggered condemnation from Western nations, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the United Nations Security Council will hold a special session on Tuesday regarding the hostages’ situation.
Israeli officials estimate that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be still alive. Hamas has denied humanitarian organizations any access to the hostages, leaving families with little to no information about their condition.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had requested the Red Cross to provide humanitarian assistance to the captives during a conversation with the head of the ICRC’s local delegation.
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, criticized Hamas’ statement, saying it cannot obscure the fact that innocent civilians have been held in “impossible conditions” for more than 660 days. “Hamas kidnapped them and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas’s hands,” the group said.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported that six more people died from starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours. Since the war began, the death toll from hunger-related causes has reached 175, including 93 children.
Amid growing international pressure, Israel has recently allowed more humanitarian aid into the enclave. Two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel fuel were set to enter Gaza from Egypt, although it was not immediately confirmed if the delivery had crossed the border. Israel’s military coordination office, COGAT, reported that four tankers of UN fuel entered Gaza to support hospitals, bakeries, and essential services.
Despite these developments, fuel shortages continue to cripple medical facilities, forcing doctors to treat only the most critical cases. Aid groups warn that airdrops are insufficient and call for increased land access to prevent widespread starvation among Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, most of whom are displaced.
COGAT stated that over the past week, 1,200 aid trucks carrying more than 23,000 tons of supplies have entered Gaza, though many have yet to reach distribution hubs due to logistical challenges. Desperate civilians and armed groups have reportedly looted some of the trucks.
Belgium joined international efforts by dropping aid into Gaza on Sunday in coordination with Jordan. France began airdropping 40 tons of humanitarian supplies last Friday.
Despite the eased restrictions, Palestinian officials said at least 80 people were killed on Sunday due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza. Among the casualties was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, killed after an Israeli strike hit the organization’s headquarters in Khan Younis, sparking a fire.
The current war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel began a military campaign in Gaza, which has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
