8/4/25
Hamas offers Red Cross to feed captives in return for aid entering Gaza
Hamas has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in providing food and medicine to Israeli captives, in exchange for allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the military wing of the Palestinian group, the al-Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday that they are "ready to engage positively and respond to any request from the Red Cross to deliver food and medicine to the enemy's prisoners".
However, he stated that the offer is contingent on the opening of humanitarian corridors "in a normal and permanent manner" to ensure food and medicine can reach the entire population of Gaza.
He further added that Israel must cease aerial activity over Gaza during the delivery of these packages to the captives.
"The al-Qassam Brigades do not intentionally starve prisoners; they eat the same food as our fighters and the general population. They will not receive any special privileges in light of the ongoing siege and the crime of starvation," he remarked.
The statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for the ICRC to bring food and medical care to the captives, after footage was released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad showing captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in a severely emaciated condition.
The ICRC said in a statement that they were "appalled" by the footage, writing on X: "We have said from day one, and we reiterate, that all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.
"All forms of public exposure that humiliate persons deprived of liberty and endanger their safety must be avoided. This dire situation must come to an end."
Families of captives have expressed shock to what they described as "walking skeletons", and have held demonstrations over the weekend urging the government to end the war.
Ofir Braslavski, Rom's father, indicated in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 that he had spoken to Netanyahu, saying: “I told him, he’s dying and… to stop everything… and give [Hamas] what they want, to get the hostages out."
The Israeli premier gave Ofir assurances that they were doing everything, however the father expressed that he "doesn't buy it" because there has been no progress.
Israel's blockade and starvation policy in Gaza has led to a rising number of deaths from malnutrition in recent days, with at least five deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
This brings the total number of victims of famine to 180, including 93 children.
The Israel-imposed siege has also resulted in the spread of diseases and disorders caused by a lack of medicine and treatment as civilians grapple with a collapsing health sector, poor sanitation and dire living conditions.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that three people have died from Guillain-Barre syndrome on Monday.
The ministry said the rare but serious nerve disorder is spreading as a result of acute malnutrition and untreated infections, both of which have surged under Israel’s relentless blockade.
“Starvation and medical neglect are killing our people,” the ministry said, holding Israel fully responsible for the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.