Hamas says to allow aid for Israeli hostages if Palestinians also receive food

Hamas expressed willingness to allow humanitarian aid to reach Israeli hostages in Gaza following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appeal to the Red Cross. However, the group has made it clear that this cooperation hinges on the condition that Palestinians in Gaza also receive regular food and medical aid.

The statement came after a video was released by Hamas, showing two Israeli hostages in Gaza suffering from visible signs of malnutrition.

In response, Netanyahu urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene and provide food and medicine to the captives. The ICRC also called for immediate access to the hostages.

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement that the group is prepared to cooperate with the Red Cross.

However, he stressed that humanitarian corridors must be opened and that residents in every area of Gaza should be provided with food and medical supplies on a consistent basis.

Another condition laid out by Hamas is that Israel must suspend all aerial operations over Gaza during the aid delivery process.

Abu Obeida emphasised that the Al-Qassam Brigades do not intentionally starve the hostages and that they receive the same rations as ordinary Gazans.

"They will not receive any special privileges amid the crime of starvation and siege," he stated.

The ICRC, meanwhile, reiterated its call for all parties to cooperate in securing humanitarian access. The organisation also noted that it has not been granted access to any Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

Amid the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, Israel targeted the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) building in Gaza and killed one staff member and injured two others.

Due to the severe food shortage caused by the Israeli blockade, at least 175 people, including 93 children, have died from hunger-related causes in Gaza. Thousands more are experiencing acute malnutrition and remain at risk of starvation.

Israel’s war on Gaza has so far killed at least 60,249 people and wounded 147,089 others, according to local health authorities.