‘Appalling’ – After hostage videos, Red Cross and WHO demand release of Israeli captives

International organizations, including the Red Cross and World Health Organization, “appalled” by videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages, demand Gaza terrorists immediately free remaining captives.

By World Israel News Staff

International non-governmental organizations expressed shock Sunday night and Monday morning following the release of two hostage videos featuring Israeli captives held by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday night, the International Committee of the Red Cross issued a statement saying the group was “appalled” by footage released last week.

A video released last Thursday by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group showed hostage Rom Braslavski lying on the floor at an undisclosed location in the Gaza Strip grimacing in pain while lamenting that he is “at death’s door.”

A day later, Hamas released footage of Evyatar David digging a ditch inside a terror tunnel in Gaza.

Both David and Braslavski appear emaciated in the videos.

“The ICRC is appalled by the harrowing videos published over the last few days of Israeli hostages held in captivity in Gaza,” the Red Cross said.

“These videos are stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions in which the hostages are being held. We know families watching these videos are horrified and heartbroken by the conditions they see their loved ones held in.”

The Red Cross emphasized that the holding of hostages “is strictly prohibited according to international humanitarian law” and demanded that the captives be “released immediately and unconditionally.”

While both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have refused to allow foreign officials to meet with or treat the Israeli hostages, the Red Cross reiterated its call to be “granted access to the hostages.”

“This dire situation must come to an end now,” it stated.

On Monday morning, the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency, backed the Red Cross’ call for the hostages’ release.

“We echo the ICRC’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted.

“We reiterate that all those being held must receive access to food and medical care and must be treated without any form of humiliation.”