German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron are international leaders who condemned the propaganda video released by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, showing the aging Israeli hostages.
Meers told German newspaper Bild: “I was shocked by the image of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski of Hamas.
“This is exactly why the ceasefire cannot be negotiated for the time being. The release of all hostages is definitely a prerequisite for this.”
In the nearly five-minute video released on Saturday, hostage Evyatar David was very thin, his bones stretching out his entire body.
He pointed out a calendar and told the audience when they ate – when they didn’t. Sometimes, the 24-year-old has no food or water for three days.
David was then forced to dig out what he said was the “grave” in the propaganda video released by the terrorist group. His family approved the release of the video.
The images sparked widespread criticism and a massive rally in Tel Aviv, calling for the release of the remaining 50 hostages, about 20 of whom are still alive.
“The image of the hostages in Israel is shocking and exposes Hamas’ barbarity,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat.
She also acknowledged the Palestinian suffering in Gaza, saying “large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need.”
Macron condemned the “unbearable image” and warned: “Despicable cruelty, infinite inhumane: This is what Hamas embodies.”
Macron wrote on X: “We believe that the deep emotions of Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, all hostages are still captured, as well as their families and loved ones, who have been trapped in hell for more than 660 days.”
“France’s absolute priority and priority is the immediate release of all hostages,” he said. “We continue to act tirelessly towards this goal – to obtain an unconditional release, to quickly restore the ceasefire and to enable large-scale humanitarian aid that is still blocked on the Gaza border.”
David and Braslavski were taken hostage in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent conflict, according to the Hamas-controlled health authorities.
The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, although the vast majority of the victims are said to be women, minors and older people.
Macron insists that the release of hostages and the end of the conflict must be accompanied by a “political solution.”
“The solution is a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine live side by side,” he said. “This is the only possible path to the future where justice, security and dignity in the region can be guaranteed to all people in the region.”
The French president said: “Let us have no ambiguity: in this political vision we must insist that we demand that the complete demilitarization of Hamas, which is completely excluded from any form of governance and be recognized by the Palestinian state for Israel.”
Macron announced last month that France would recognize Palestine, prompting Israel to condemn it.
