Prime Minister's Office Requests Food Aid from Red Cross
Protests Continue in Tel Aviv Demanding Hostage Release
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he was "deeply shocked" by the recent video released by the Palestinian militant group Hamas showing two surviving hostages, and signaled a strong response in the future. On August 4, Yonhap News, citing AFP and other sources, reported that the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced in a statement the previous night that Prime Minister Netanyahu had spoken with the families of the two hostages and told them, "Efforts to secure the return of all hostages are ongoing."
Previously, Hamas released three videos between July 31 and the previous day, showing two surviving hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Both individuals featured in the videos?Eviatar David (24) and Rom Braslavski (21), who holds dual German-Israeli citizenship?appeared emaciated and suffering from malnutrition. In the footage, they were seen watching news about the famine crisis in Gaza and tearfully pleading with the Israeli government for their release. According to the Israeli military, as of now, 20 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas.
In Tel Aviv, the central city of Israel, tens of thousands held a rally urging the Netanyahu government to secure the release of hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip. Reuters·Yonhap News
In response, the Prime Minister's Office announced that Prime Minister Netanyahu had spoken with Julien Lerisson, the head of the ICRC in Israel, and that Netanyahu requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide food and medical aid to the hostages held in Gaza. On the morning of August 4, tens of thousands of people gathered in central Tel Aviv, demanding that the Netanyahu government secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also commented on the video, calling it "horrific and a display of Hamas's barbarity," and urged for the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kallas emphasized that "Hamas must disarm and end its rule in the Gaza Strip."
Israel Continues Military Operations in Gaza Despite Hostage Videos
Israel is continuing its military operations within the Gaza Strip. According to AP, on August 2, at least 10 people were killed by Israeli gunfire near two Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centers where starving Gaza residents had gathered in search of food. At a checkpoint near the Israeli border, 19 people in a crowd seeking food were also shot and killed. However, the Israeli military denied firing live rounds, repeatedly claiming that only tear gas or warning shots were used.
As clashes between Israel and Hamas continue, the number of civilian casualties is also increasing. The Gaza Strip health authorities reported that since the conflict began two years ago, 60,839 Palestinians have died and 149,588 have been injured. Photo by TASS and Yonhap News Agency
Meanwhile, according to the United Nations, from May 27 to July 31, a total of 859 people were killed near GHF distribution centers. Additionally, hundreds more died along UN-led food delivery routes. As international criticism of Israel's blockade of Gaza intensifies, Israel recently announced it would step up efforts to deliver food and other aid through airdrops. However, AP pointed out that despite these measures, very little food is actually reaching Gaza residents.
Meanwhile, as clashes between Israel and Hamas continue, the number of civilian casualties is also rising. According to Gaza health authorities, since the outbreak of the conflict two years ago, 60,839 Palestinians have been killed and 149,588 have been injured.
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