European Leaders Condemn Videos of Emaciated Israeli Hostages, Urge Hamas to Disarm

European leaders have condemned recent videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which depict Israeli hostages Rom Braslavski, 21, and Evyatar David, 24, in severely emaciated conditions. The footage has intensified calls for the immediate release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the videos as showcasing the captors' "inhumanity without bounds" and "abject cruelty." He emphasized that France's priority is the "immediate release of all the hostages" and advocated for the "total demilitarization of Hamas" and its exclusion from governance in Gaza. Macron also called for the recognition of Israel by a future Palestinian state.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the videos demonstrate that "Hamas should no longer play a role in the future of Gaza." He urged Israel not to "respond to Hamas's cynicism" by halting humanitarian aid to Gaza.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeled the images as "sickening" and demanded the unconditional release of all hostages. He asserted that "Hamas must disarm and have no control over Gaza" and called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages and the removal of aid restrictions.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the videos as exposing Hamas's "barbarity" and demanded the group's disarmament and the release of all hostages. She stressed the need for large-scale humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed "profound shock" over the videos and reiterated ongoing efforts to secure the hostages' release. He accused Hamas of "deliberately starving our hostages and documenting them in a cynical and malicious manner."

The videos have sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv, urging the Israeli government to secure the release of the remaining captives.

Braslavski and David are among the 20 hostages believed to be alive in Gaza, out of the 50 still held since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. The conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.