The European Union, Britain, France and Germany on Sunday condemned propaganda videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages published by Gaza terror groups last week, with leaders insisting Hamas disarm and play no role in the future of the Strip.
Rom Braslavski, 21, and Evyatar David, 24, appeared pale and emaciated in footage released by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, respectively, clips from which the captives’ families have approved for publication. In a clip approved for publication on Saturday, David could be seen in an underground tunnel digging what he said he feared was his grave.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the release of the videos showed the captors’ “inhumanity without bounds” and “abject cruelty.”
“The absolute priority for France is the immediate release of all the hostages,” he added on X.
“We must have the total demilitarization of Hamas, its complete exclusion from any form of governance and the recognition of Israel by the state of Palestine,” said Macron, who has vowed to recognize a Palestinian state in September, angering Israel.
He promised to “work without respite” for “the re-establishment without delay of a ceasefire, and to allow the mass delivery of humanitarian aid, still blocked at the gates of Gaza.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper that the videos “show that Hamas should no longer play a role in the future of Gaza.”
He also called on Israel not to “respond to Hamas’s cynicism” by halting humanitarian aid to Gaza.
UN-mandated experts have warned of unfolding famine in the besieged territory, while Israel has denied reports of widespread starvation and accused Hamas of hijacking aid deliveries.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “The images of hostages being paraded for propaganda are sickening.”
“Every hostage must be released unconditionally,” said Lammy on X. “Hamas must disarm and have no control over Gaza.”
He added that the UK was “working with partners on a long-term solution and plan for peace. This must begin with an immediate ceasefire that frees the hostages, as well as removing inhumane aid restrictions.”
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also condemned the videos as showing Hamas’s “barbarity,” demanding the terror group disarm and release remaining hostages.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga added his voice to the outrage, saying that “Hamas’s inhuman treatment of the Israeli hostages deserves a very strong condemnation.”
“People in Gaza should not remain suffering because of Hamas’s heinous crimes. It must lay down its arms and release all hostages immediately,” Sybiga added on X.
Braslavski and David are among the 20 hostages still thought to be alive in Gaza. All are young men abducted during the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, when thousands of terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.
Terror groups in Gaza are also holding the remains of at least 28 hostages confirmed dead by the IDF, including the body of an IDF soldier killed fighting in Gaza in 2014. There are grave concerns for the well-being of two other hostages, Israeli officials have said.