Videos of emaciated Israeli hostages released by Hamas have ignited outrage in Europe and Israel, intensifying EU calls for a ceasefire and immediate release amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the images “appalling” on Sunday in a post on X, condemning the “barbarity of Hamas”.
She urged the terrorist group to “release all hostages immediately and unconditionally,” adding that the Hamas “must disarm and end its rule in Gaza.”
Preparedness Commissioner Hadja Lahbib also called for the “immediate release of all Israeli hostages by Hamas & Islamic Jihad”.
The footage, which was partly edited and included images of starving Palestinians, was described by Israeli President Isaac Herzog as “pure cruelty”.
Herzog called upon world leaders to demand the release of the hostages. French president Emmanuel Macron echoed his condemnation of the “inhumanity” of the videos while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Bild that Hamas must not be allowed to rule Gaza once the war ends.
According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages captured by Hamas in October 2023 are still being held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Lahbib also condemned the “sheer scale of human suffering in Gaza”, urging Israel to “end its starvation of Gaza” and allow large-scale humanitarian aid.
Israel rejects accusations from aid agencies and the UN that it is pushing Gaza towards famine, insisting there is “no starvation” and no restrictions on aid.
However, several EU member states – Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and more recently Sweden – have pushed to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to Gaza’s deteriorating situation.
The Hague also barred two hardline ministers from entering the country, increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel.
Other EU countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Belgium, conducted humanitarian aid airlifts earlier this week.
According to official Israeli data, the 7 October 2023 Hamas assault claimed 1,219 lives, the majority of them civilians.
Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since then has killed at least 60,249 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN consider the ministry’s figures reliable.
The public outcry over Israel’s unrelenting approach to Gaza has profound implications for the future of Europe’s relationship with the Jewish state.
(cs)