In an unprecedented display of international unity, leaders from 18 nations have issued a stern call for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, marking over 200 days since the abductions. The joint statement, which includes the United States and prominent European and South American countries, underscores the global concern for the hostages’ well-being and the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over 200 days,” the leaders proclaimed. They highlighted the importance of the hostages’ fate not only to their own nations but also to the civilian population of Gaza, which is protected under international law.
This plea follows the release of a chilling new video by Hamas, showcasing Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American kidnapped during a music festival assault. The video serves as a stark reminder of the current crisis, revealing Goldberg-Polin with a missing portion of his left arm, a result of the attack. His emotional plea, made under pressure, has sparked demonstrations in Jerusalem and increased urgency globally.
The leaders emphasized the potential benefits of a hostage release, including an “immediate and prolonged cease-fire in Gaza,” which would be instrumental in providing much-needed humanitarian aid and allowing Gazans to return to their homes. They lent their support to the ongoing mediation efforts and reiterated their call on Hamas to “release the hostages, and let us end this crisis so that collectively we can focus our efforts on bringing peace and stability to the region.”
This collective statement is notable for including a rejected deal by Hamas. The offer suggests Hamas could start a cease-fire by releasing women, elderly, wounded, and sick hostages. However, a senior US administration official said on Thursday that Hamas’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, who is seen as the mastermind behind the plan to seize captives on 7 October, “has made the decision he’d rather hold [the hostages] rather than securing a ceasefire”.
Exacerbating the seriousness of the situation, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas political figure, has acknowledged not knowing the exact number of hostages still alive in Gaza. This lack of clarity has further heightened the concerns and anxieties of global leaders and the families of the victims.
In parallel, a heart-wrenching video message from the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, released hours after Hamas’s video, has resonated deeply with the public. “We are here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date,” they stated, addressing Egypt, Israel, Qatar, the United States, and Hamas. “Be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and end the suffering in this region.”
Relevant articles:
– Leaders of 18 countries urge Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza, theguardian.com, 04/27/2024
– Hamas releases video showing well-known Israeli-American hostage, ABC News, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:50:25 GMT
– Video released by Hamas of American from Chicago taken hostage at music festival on Oct. 7, WTVD-TV, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:03:45 GMT
– 🔒 Saving Gaza hostages should be Israel’s primary concern: Marc Champion, BizNews, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:54:31 GMT
– Hamas Releases Propaganda Video of Captured American Israeli, The Media Line, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:23:12 GMT